Digital Camera with Communication Function

ABSTRACT

In a digital camera having a wireless communicator with a server, a storage controller treats full size image data and display size image data unequally if the full size image data has been already sent to the server. For example, the display size image data is not allowed to be replaced by new digital image data unless the digital camera is not in use over a prescribed time. Own image data and other&#39;s image data are treated equally. Image data received from outside and retrieved from inside memory are treated equally. Search key for own image data and related search keys existing in the outside are indicated in a comparable manner. The digital camera receives search key from neighboring advertiser to send it for Internet search of advertisement. Search key received from neighboring notable site is sent for Internet search of photographs of the notable site taken by others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a digital camera, and more specifically to adigital camera capable of communication function.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of digital cameras capable of communication function havebeen proposed in this field of art. For example, it is proposed thatdigital image data taken by the digital camera is sent to an outsideserver.

One reason of sending the digital image data to the outside server iscaused by a limited capacity of the digital camera to store the digitalimage data. In other words, the digital camera would become free fromthe limitation to the image storing capacity if the taken image data issent to the server for making it possible for the digital camera todelete the sent image data for securing a room for newly taken imagedata. Another reason of sending the digital image data to the outside isto share the taken images among a closed group or in open public forfun.

Also in the field of mobile phones capable of photo taking function,which is considered to be a type of digital camera capable ofcommunication function, the similar sending or sharing of digital imagesby means of a picture archiving and communication system on Internetbecomes popular as well as the direct sending of the digital image databetween the mobile phones.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,259 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.2002-199 each disclose digital camera capable of communication function.

In terms of the sharing of the digital image data, on the other hand,various proposals have been also made from the side of picture archivingand communication systems on Internet, which provide services foraccepting uploaded digital image data from the creator thereof orallowing anyone to download digital images of others open to the public.

In this field of art, however, proposals relating to the sending of thedigital image data have not been fully enjoyed as a function of digitalcameras easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a digital camera capable ofcommunication function easy to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a digital camera in whichthe communication function is naturally incorporated into theconventional digital camera utility.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a digital camerawith its usefulness broadened.

To achieve one of the above objects, this invention provides a digitalcamera comprising an image taking portion, a wireless communicatoradapted to send digital image data derived from the image taking portionto outside of the digital camera and to receive digital image data fromoutside of the digital camera, a display, and an image storage portionadapted to store digital image data derived form the image takingportion and digital image data received through the wirelesscommunicator. The digital image data stored in the image storageincludes full size image data depending on the image taking portion anddisplay image data in a size suitable for displaying on the display.And, the digital camera according to this invention further comprises astorage controller adapted to treat the full size image data and thedisplay image data unequally in the image storage portion if the fullsize image data has been already sent to outside of the digital camera.

For example, the storage controller is adapted to allow the full sizeimage data to be replaced by new digital image data in the image storageportion more easily than the display image data. In more specifically,the storage controller is adapted to allow the display image data to bereplaced by new digital image data under a condition.

The new digital image data includes, for example, digital image dataderived form the image taking portion or digital image data receivedthrough the wireless communicator, or the both.

In the above digital camera according to this invention, the full sizeimage data which has been already sent to outside of the digital camerais needless to be kept in the image storage portion at all. On thecontrary, the display image data, which is basically to be replaced bynew image data sometime, is kept as long as it is highly expected to beplayed back again. For example, display image data for a picture newlytaken by the digital camera is protected from being replaced by newimage data unless the digital camera is not in use over a prescribedperiod of time, e.g. more than three hours, after the date changes. Thisis also true for display image data newly received through the wirelesscommunicator for playback. Thus, playback of the image highly expectedsoon is possible without receiving the same through the wirelesscommunicator. This is the reason why the full size image data and thedisplay image data are treated unequally in the image storage portion.

According to a detailed feature of this invention, the storagecontroller is adapted to treat the digital image data received throughthe wireless communicator the same as the digital image data derivedform the image taking portion. Thus, the display is equal regardless ofwhether the digital image data is own or of others.

According to another detailed feature of this invention, the digitalcamera further comprises a display controller adapted to treat thedigital image data received through the wireless communicator the sameas the digital image data retrieved from the image storage portion.Thus, the display is equal regardless of whether the wirelesscommunicator is used or not.

According to still another detailed feature of this invention, thedigital camera further comprises a capacity indicator adapted toindicate information relating to the room for the image storage portionto store new digital image data, wherein the capacity indicator isadapted to make an indication if an extra room for the new digital imagedata can be secured by replacing the stored display image data. Thus,the user is informed of the deletion of the display image data inadvance.

This invention also provides a digital camera comprising an image takingportion adapted to capture an image, a wireless communicator adapted tosend digital image data derived from the image taking portion to outsideof the digital camera and to receive digital image data from outside ofthe digital camera, a display, an image storage portion adapted to storedigital image data derived form the image taking portion and digitalimage data received through the wireless communicator, and a storagecontroller adapted to control the digital image data in the imagestorage portion in relation to the sending and receiving of the digitalimage data through the wireless communicator. The digital cameraaccording to this invention further comprises a search key affixingcontroller adapted to affix a search key to the image data as anattribute thereof, and a search key indication controller adapted toindicate the affixed search keys and related search keys on the displayin a comparable manner. The related search keys are received through thewireless communicator among search keys existing outside the digitalcamera. And, the related search keys include a search key related to theaffixed search key and a search key identical with the affixed searchkey if any.

In the above digital camera according to this invention, search keyaffixation to the own digital image data is facilitated since theaffixed search keys and related search keys existing outside the digitalcamera are indicated on the display in a comparable manner. In otherwords, the user who wants own digital image hit in search by others canedit the own search key affixation by consulting with the comparisonwith the related search key indication.

According to a detailed feature above of this invention, the search keyindication controller is adapted to indicate on the display a search keywhich is in common between the affixed search keys and related searchkeys. This informs the user of whether or not the affixed search key ispopular.

According to another detailed feature above of this invention the searchkey affixing controller is adapted to copy one of the related searchkeys as a new affixing search key. Thus, the user can easily adopt apopular search key.

The above various features relating to the indication of the affixedsearch keys and related search keys on the display in a comparablemanner are also useful if they are applied to a personal computer.

According to still another detailed feature above of this invention, thedigital camera further comprises a manual operating portion, wherein thesearch key affixing controller is responsive to the manual operatingportion in affixing the search key. Or, alternatively, the search keyaffixing controller is adapted to automatically affix the search keyreceived through the wireless communicator. Thus, the initial affixationof the search key is possible by manual or automatic means.

This invention also provides a digital camera comprising an image takingportion, a wireless communicator adapted to send digital image dataderived from the image taking portion to outside of the digital cameraand to receive digital image data from outside of the digital camera, adisplay, an image storage portion adapted to store digital image dataderived form the image taking portion and digital image data receivedthrough the wireless communicator, and a storage controller adapted tocontrol the digital image data in the image storage portion in relationto the sending and receiving of the digital image data through thewireless communicator. The digital camera according to this inventionfurther comprises a search controller adapted to receive search key fromthe neighborhood of the digital camera through the wireless communicatorand to send it to an outside server on Internet through the wirelesscommunicator to have it carry out the search on the sent search key.

In the above digital camera according to this invention, the neighboringinformation automatically comes in the form of the search key by meansof approaching there, and is obtainable in detail as the form of searchresult.

According to a detailed feature above of this invention, the digitalcamera further comprises a search result controller adapted to receivesearch result form the outside server through the wireless communicatorfor displaying the received search result on the display. In moredetail, the search result includes digital image data or Weblog relatingto the search key.

The above feature according to this invention is typical applicable to acase that the neighborhood includes an advertiser, and that the searchresult includes the advertisement of the advertiser.

Another example of application of the above feature is a case that theneighborhood includes a notable site, and that the search resultincludes digital image data of photographs of the notable site taken byothers, which may be of some help of taking a new photograph of the samenotable site.

Other features and advantages according to this invention will bereadily understood from the detailed description of the preferredembodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to thefirst embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to thesecond embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera in FIG. 3 to show camera operating portion and monitor in whichthumbnails are shown for playback of the image.

FIG. 5 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera in the playback mode, which is similar to FIG. 4 except for whatis displayed on monitor.

FIG. 6 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera in the playback mode, which is similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 exceptfor what is displayed on monitor.

FIG. 7 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera in the photo taking mode, which is similar to FIGS. 4 and 5except for what is displayed on monitor.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the basic function of camera controller in thefirst digital camera of the first embodiment in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the function of camera controller whenthumbnail button is pushed in the display condition in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image display processin step S16 of FIG. 8 and step S26 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image search processin step S30 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the detail of the photo taking modeprocess in step S34 of FIG. 9 and step S62 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the detail of the display image gettingprocess in step S50 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image recordingprocess in step S112 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image upload processin step S124 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the detail of the capacity indicationprocess in step S9 of FIG. 8 and step S128 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the detail of the automatic attributeaffixation process in step S122 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the detail of the attribute editionprocess in step S58 of FIG. 10 and step S126 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the detail of the advertisementutilizing process in step S304 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the detail of the edition executingprocess in step S300 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the search function carried out byintegrated image administration server in cooperation with the searchresult updating process of the first digital camera carried out in stepS10 of FIG. 8 or step S92 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of the function of camera controller of thefirst digital camera relating to advertisement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to thefirst embodiment of this invention. The system in FIG. 1 includes thefirst digital camera 1 and the second digital camera 2 as the mostsimplified case. However, the system according to this invention mayfurther includes a third or more digital cameras

The first digital camera 1 and the second digital camera 2 havefunctions identical with each other. Therefore, the explanation isbasically made only on the basis of the first camera 1 unless the firstdigital camera 1 and the second digital camera 2 cooperate with eachother.

The first digital camera 1 has a local wireless communication functionwhich automatically connects the first digital camera 1 with wirelessaccess point 3 to access Internet 4 when the digital camera 1 comes intothe communication range of access point 3. The connection is kept inconstant connection until the first digital camera 1 goes out of thecommunication range. Alternatively, the first digital camera 1 iscapable of accessing Internet 4 through a wired access point. If anyaccess point is not available, the digital camera 1 can be incommunication with a mobile phone by way of wired or wirelessconnection, the mobile phone connecting the digital camera 1 to Internetby means of the phone line

The first digital camera 1 is capable of being charged by a power sourceat the access point through a wired connection or a wirelesselectromagnetic induction. For example, the first digital camera 1 ischarged by and in communication with a wired access point by means ofconnecting the first digital camera 1 to a composite power andcommunication cable taken from under the table if the wired access pointis a coffee shop. Or, the first digital camera 1 is charged by awireless access point by means of putting the first digital camera 1 ona table with an electromagnetic induction charger build onto the tableif the wireless access point is another type of coffee shop. In thiscase, a wireless communication is possible since the table is locatedwithin the communication range of the access point.

Thus, the first digital camera 1 in constant connection to Internet 4 isto automatically send digital image taken by the first digital camera 1to the first picture archiving and communication system 5 in accordancewith a contract which has been made between the first digital camera 1and the first picture archiving and communication system 5.

The digital image sent to and kept by the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 can be retrieved by the first digital camera 1for display in response to a playback operation at the first digitalcamera 1. In other words, the playback operation automatically causesthe first digital camera 1 to access the contracted web page provided bythe first picture archiving and communication system 5 through Internet4 to thereby download the image in a size suitable for display on themonitor of the first digital camera 1.

Provided that the original of the image in full size is kept by thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5, the full size imagedata itself is not retrieved by the first digital camera 1 for keepingit on the digital camera 1 side, but the image data in the reduced sizesuitable for display on the monitor of the first digital camera 1 istemporarily downloaded every time when the playback operation is done toaccess the first picture archiving and communication system 5. In otherwords, the first digital camera 1 serves as a browser of the reducedsize of image data provided by the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5. The reduced size of image data once downloadedis not positively deleted after the playback but is kept as long as thecapacity of the memory is available in case a possible communicationfailure when the same image will be desired to be displayed again. Theoldest one of such image data unless protected, however, is to bereplaced by a newly downloaded image if the capacity of the memory willbe full.

Upon the playback of the image, the first digital camera 1 can accessintegrated image administration server 6 to search among a great numberof thumbnails for identifying the desired image, and then jump to thecorresponding image kept by the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 in place of directly accessing to the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5. This is possible byassigning a URL to each image data. The image search on integrated imageadministration server 6 and its cooperation with the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 will be explained later in detail.

The first picture archiving and communication system 5 keeps not onlythe digital images but also Weblog created on the digital images.Further, not only the provider of the digital image but also anyone ofthe audience of the digital image can write in the Weblog an opinion orthought on the image.

The digital image kept in the first picture archiving and communicationsystem 5 can be retrieved though the first personal computer 7 locatedin the home of the person who owns of the first digital camera 1, theimage being displayed on the first monitor 8 connected to the firstpersonal computer 7. The first computer 7 also accesses the contractedweb page provided by the first picture archiving and communicationsystem 5 through Internet 4. Thus, the first personal computer 7 alsoserves as a browser of the image data provided by the first picturearchiving and communication system 5. In other words, full size imagedata itself is not retrieved by the first personal computer 7 forkeeping it on the first personal computer 7 side, but the image data inthe reduced size suitable for display on the first monitor 8 istemporarily downloaded every time when a playback operation is done bythe first personal computer 7 to access the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5. However, the reduced size of image data suitablefor display on the first monitor 8 once downloaded can be kept in thefirst computer 7 if an operation is done to do so

Upon the playback of the image, the first personal computer 7 can alsoaccess integrated image administration server 6 to search among a greatnumber of thumbnails for identifying the desired image, and then jump tothe corresponding image kept by the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 in place of directly accessing to the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5.

It is possible to send image data taken by the first digital camera 1 byway of the first personal computer 7 to the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 thorough Internet 4, in place of sending theimage data to the first picture archiving and communication system 5directly form the first digital camera 1. This is possible, for example,by removing a memory card, which keeps the taken image data, from thefirst digital camera 1 to insert it into the first personal computer 7.

The first personal computer 7, which is a conventional personalcomputer, can be replaced by a larger size computer such as a homeserver or a home central controller. The first monitor 8, which is aconventional monitor for a personal computer, can be replaced by amonitor of a high definition television set. Further, the first personalcomputer 7 and the first monitor 8 can be combined with a television setas an integrated television set with the personal computer function.

As has been mentioned above, the image data retrieved for display is notkept within the first personal computer 7, but is downloaded every timewhen a playback operation is done by the first personal computer 7. Thepersonal computer 7, on the other hands, in combination with the firsthome backup storage 9 downloads the full size image data from the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 to keep it within the firsthome backup server 9.

In other words, the first personal computer 7 automatically downloadsthe full size image data from the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 through Internet 4 when it receives to keep fullsize image data from the first digital camera 1. The downloaded imagedata is automatically stored in the first home backup storage 9 underthe control of the first personal computer 7. And, every time when firstdigital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7 communicates with thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 afterward on theimage data bucked up in the backup storage 9, the history of thecommunication is automatically downloaded from the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 to store it within the first homebackup storage 9 in relation with the backed up image data. The typicalcommunication of first digital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7with the first picture archiving and communication system 5 is theplayback of the image on the first digital camera 1 or the first monitor8.

Further, every time when first digital camera 1 or the first personalcomputer 7 communicates with integrated image administration server 6,the history of the communication is automatically downloaded fromintegrated image administration server 6 to store it within the firsthome backup storage 9 in relation with the backed up image data. Thetypical communication of first digital camera 1 or the first personalcomputer 7 with integrated image administration server 6 is the searchfor a desired image among thumbnails.

The first home backup storage 9 is, however, one-way storage for storingdata from the first personal computer 7 that downloads the image data orcommunication history data. In other words, the first personal computer7 retrieves the image data or the communication history not from thefirst home backup storage 9, but from the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 or integrated image administration server 6.

For the purpose of avoiding confusion, the reduced size of image datasuitable for display on the first monitor 8 and kept within the firstpersonal computer 7 is not bucked up by the first home backup storage 9even if it is downloaded by the first personal computer 7.

The reason why the first home backup storage 9 is prepared in the homeis a self-defend in case dada or service itself disappears due to someaccident at the first picture archiving and communication system 5 orintegrated image administration server 6. Thus, unless such accidentoccurs, the first digital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7carries out the playback of the image as a browser functioning on thesoftware in the first picture archiving and communication system 5,which is improved day by day.

Similarly, the first digital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7carries out the administration or search of image data on the softwarein integrated image administration server 6, which is also improved dayby day. However, the improved software itself of the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 or integrated image administrationserver 6, such as new version of image processing, image keeping, imageadministration, and image searching, is not downloaded into the firstpersonal computer 7 unless it directly relates to the digital camera 1or the personal computer 7, such as new display layout on the monitorthereof.

The data stored in the first home backup storage 9 in relation to theimage data, such as administration data, log and search history forimage, is not an original as it is, but is modified with restoration ofsuch data taken into consideration in case the first picture archivingand communication system 5 or integrated image administration server 6is destroyed in contingency. For example, if the downloaded image dataor the relating data is handled under a file format, or data structure,or directory structure specific to the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 or integrated image administration server 6, suchdata is not stored in the first home backup storage 9 as it is, but isstored with such modification made that each image data can beseparately handled in a manner free from the peculiar file format, ordata structure, or directory the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 structure. Further, administration data or thelike associated with the image data is so modified that the associateddata is separately attached to each image data with its data formatconverted into a simplified one such as a text file. Thus, image datacan be easily located upon restoration by means of full-text search ofthe text file data attached to each image data.

The first home backup storage 9 is a product specialized for automaticbackup function including a large-capacity storage. The first homebackup storage 9 can be a multipurpose storage for backuping only thedata created by an outside server such as the first picture archivingand communication system 5 or integrated image administration server 6,but also various data created by the first personal computer 7 in caseof a hard disk crash or the like in the first personal computer 7.

As described above, the first digital camera 1 or the first personalcomputer 7 entrusts the functions of image processing, image keeping,image administration, and image searching to an outside server such asthe first picture archiving and communication system 5 or integratedimage administration server 6 according to this invention. In otherwords, the first digital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7itself serves as a means for merely capturing and/or browsing images.

According to the above division of roles, the first digital camera 1 isdeveloped with the cost focused on improvement of capturing function byoptical system, sensor, and lighting system or the like, the cost fordeveloping other functions being saved. On the other hand, the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 is developed with the costfocused on improvement in image processing, image keeping, imageadministration, and image searching functions, the developing cost ofwhich is not directly passed on to the price of the first digital camera1. However, since the image capturing function is deeply relates to theimage processing, image keeping, image administration and imagesearching functions, the first digital camera 1 and the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 are efficiently developed incollaboration with each other.

The division of roles between the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 and integrated image administration server 6 isalso reasonable since the data administration or data searching functionrelates not only to the image data but also to general data which covershuge market based on computer technology, which should be assigned tointegrated image administration server 6. On the other hand, the imageprocessing or image keeping function should be assigned to the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5, which is specialized tohandle the image data.

In FIG. 1, the second digital camera 2 and the relating systemcomponents including the second picture archiving and communicationsystem 10, the second personal computer 11, the second monitor 12 andthe second home backup storage 13 are similar to those for the firstdigital camera 1. So, the explanation for those components is omittedfor avoiding duplication.

FIG. 1 shows that the first digital camera 1 and the second digitalcamera both access to wireless access point 3 in common. This is on theassumption that the owner of the first digital camera 1 (hereinafterreferred to as “the first user”) and the owner of the second digitalcamera 2 (hereinafter referred to as “the second user”) travel with eachother, which makes it possible for the first user and the second user toshare the same access point. The following explanation will be made onthis assumption. However, if the first user and the second user locateapart from each other, they of course connect Internet 4 throughdifferent access points.

FIG. 1 shows that the second user sends or retrieves image to or fromthe second from the second picture archiving and communication system10. This is on the assumption that the first user makes a contract withthe first picture archiving and communication system 5 while the seconduser with the second picture archiving and communication system 10. Thefollowing explanation will be made on this assumption. However, there isno problem if the first user and the second user make contract with thesame picture archiving and communication system.

FIG. 1 shows only one integrated image administration server 6. This ison the assumption that the first picture archiving and communicationsystem 5 and the second picture archiving and communication system 10share the same integrated image administration server in the mostsimplified case of collaboration. The following explanation will be madeon this assumption. However, this invention is not limited to a systemwhich includes only one integrated image administration server, but isalso applicable to a system including a plurality of integrated imageadministration servers in collaboration with number of picture archivingand communication systems.

The following explanation relates to the printing of the image data. Thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 and the secondpicture archiving and communication system 10 are connected to the firstprint service 14 and the second print service 15 through dedicated lineconnections, respectively. Thus, the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 can accept an order of print from the firstdigital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7. Similarly, or thesecond picture archiving and communication system 10 can accept an orderof print from the second digital camera 2 or the second personalcomputer 11. The connection to the first print service 14 or the secondprint service 15 may be by way of Internet in place of the dedicatedline connections.

The first picture archiving and communication system 5 or the secondpicture archiving and communication system 10 has the first printservice 14 or the second print service 15 make print in response to theaccepted order. The print made by the first print service 14 or thesecond print service 15 is brought to the orderer by means of a deliveryservice.

According to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, a print can be made by thefirst home printer 16 or the second home printer 17 connected to thefirst personal computer 7 and the second personal computer 11,respectively. If the print is desired to be made in home, the firstpersonal computer 7 of the second personal computer 11 downloads theimage data of a desired print size to have the first home printer 16 orthe second home printer 17 make the print.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital camera system according to thesecond embodiment of this invention. Since the second embodiment in FIG.2 is almost similar to the first embodiment in FIG. 1. So the samenumeral is used for identifying the same system component throughoutFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, duplicate explanation being omitted in FIG. 2.

The difference between the first and second embodiments is thecomponents for backuping data. In other words, the first personalcomputer 7 and the second personal computer 11 of the second embodimentin FIG. 2 rely on external backup service 21 through Internet 4 in placeof the first home backup storage 9 and the second home backup storage 13in FIG. 1.

The function of external backup service 21 is basically similar to thatof the first home backup storage 9 or the second home backup storage 13.So, the explanation is focused on the difference therebetween.

First, external backup service 21 is specialized for keeping home datawith high privacy protection required outside the home. Therefore,external backup service is characterized by a high capacity of storagefor a great number of homes, a high reliability against datadisappearance and a high security against privacy violation.

For example, external backup service 21 adopts a cryptosystem of afriendly usability and a high reliability, which encourages the firstpersonal computer 7 or the second personal computer 11 to send theprivate data to external backup service 21 through Internet 4.

Second, external backup service 21 is adopts an administration functionfor treating data from great number of personal computers, such as thefirst personal computer 7 or the second personal computer 11 withoutconfusion.

Further, external backup service 21 can backup data sent throughInternet 4 not only from the first personal computer 7 or the secondpersonal computer 11, but also from the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5, or from the second picture archiving andcommunication system 10, or from integrated image administration server6. In more detail, external backup service 21 can backup the image datakept by the first picture archiving and communication system 5, or bythe second picture archiving and communication system 10, or byintegrated image administration server 6 under the contract with and inresponse to the actual access by the first personal computer 7 or thesecond personal computer 11. Further the history of communicationbetween the first personal computer 7 and the first picture archivingand communication system 5 or the like is directly sent from the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 to the external backupservice 21 for backup. The history of communication received by texternal backup service 21 is stored therein in relation to the imagedata on which the communication has been made.

For the purpose of further strengthening the reliability against datadisappearance, external backup service 21 is connected with privatelines of high security to the first sub-backup 22 and the secondsub-backup 23 or the like to each further automatically copy and keepthe backup data, respectively. The first sub-backup 22 and the secondsub-backup 23 or the like are located globally apart from each other sothat some one will survive even if the others will be destroyed by agiant earthquake or the like.

As has been apparent, the second embodiment in FIG. 2 includes the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5, the second picturearchiving and communication system 10, integrated image administrationserver 6 and external backup service 21, which each take its share ofhandling image data originated and utilized by the first digital camera1 or the second digital camera 2. Thus, the digital image handlingservice to the owners of the digital cameras is improved in combinationby the variety of features of system components.

Now, the function of integrated image administration server 6 is to beexplained along with its cooperation with the first picture archivingand communication system 5 and the second picture archiving andcommunication system 10. The function to be explained includes not onlythe service for the first digital camera 1 or the second digital camera2 alone, but also a service relating to a combination between the firstdigital camera 1 and the second digital camera 2 as well as a servicefor sharing image among a plurality of users. Since these functions arecommon to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the followingexplanation will be made in accordance with the first embodiment in FIG.1.

As has been mentioned, the image data taken by the first digital camera1 is kept by the first picture archiving and communication system 5,which provides the image administration system to be utilized as anonline album for the first user. The image administration systemprovided by the first picture archiving and communication system 5includes function for automatically affixing to each kept image data acriterion for search, such as user ID, user nickname, trademark ofcamera, photo taking date and time, photo taking place including pointand direction, information of the object, and image sending date andtime etc. The system further makes it possible for user to manually adda criterion for search, such as title of the image or search tag to eachimage data to be kept. The automatically given criteria such as phototaking place or information of the object may be treated as the form ofsearch tag or search key.

By means of such image administration system operable through the firstcamera 1 or the first personal computer 7, the first user can searchinto the kept images to hit an image or images to be played pack. Theuser can freely add, or delete, or change criteria for search an imageon the occasion of playing back the image by operating the first digitalcamera 1 or the first personal computer 7 in accordance with theadministration system provided by the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5.

The first picture archiving and communication system 5 can allow anyoneto access the kept images under some condition or without any conditionin accordance with the direction from the first digital camera 1 or thefirst personal computer 7. Further, some criteria for search relating tothe image are laid open along with the image as long as the criteriameet the privacy condition allowed by the creator of the image.

Thus, the second user can also search for and access to the image of thefirst user kept in the first picture archiving and communication system5 by operating the second digital camera 2 or the second personalcomputer 11. If the image is laid open without any condition, the seconduser even unacquainted with the first user can access to the image ofthe first user. If the image is laid open with some condition, on theother hand, the second user can access only to the images which areallowed by the first user under such condition.

The above is vice versa. Namely, the first user can search for andaccess to the image of the second user kept in the second picturearchiving and communication system 10 by operating the first digitalcamera 1 or the first personal computer 7 as long as the first usermeets the condition set by the second user. More detailed explanationwill not be repeated for avoiding duplication.

The above is true for the images of the first user kept not only in thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5, but also in thesecond picture archiving and communication system 10. Similarly, theabove is true for the images of the second user kept not only in thesecond picture archiving and communication system 10, but also in thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5. In summary, thefirst user or the second user can search for and playback its own imagesin private regardless of the picture archiving and communication systemactually keeping the images, and can also search for and playback imagesof any other user as long as they are laid open.

As to integrated image administration server 6, it makes it possible tosearch for all images regardless of the picture archiving andcommunication systems. In other words, a borderless search for images ispossible once integrated image administration server 6 is accessed. Thiswill be explained in more detail in accordance with the most simplifiedcase including the first picture archiving and communication system 5and the second picture archiving and communication system 10.

Integrated image administration server 6 is a so-called search enginecapable of making search into the images kept by the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 and the second picture archivingand communication system 10 with respect to the criteria set by theuser. For the efficiency of the search, integrated image administrationserver 6 functions based on criteria according to its own search system,such as user ID, user nickname, trademark of camera, photo taking dateand time, photo taking place, information of the object, image sendingdate and time, title of the image and search tag, the search being to bedone with respect to each criterion.

Since the search system with the criteria used therein is released byintegrated image administration server 6 to the public and free, thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 and the secondpicture archiving and communication system 10 can easily incorporate thesearch system. In other words, the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5, the second picture archiving and communicationsystem 10 and integrated image administration server 6 share the samesearch system to constitute a tightly united system, which is extremelyconvenient for the first and second users. Further, the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 and the second picture archivingand communication system 10 become free from cost for developing andestablishing own search system and to concentrate to the development andestablishment of the image keeping and processing system.

Integrated image administration server 6 searches into image datatreated by not only the own search system, but also another searchsystem provided by an independent picture archiving and communicationsystem. This is done by means of conducting a full-text search into thedata relating to image data treated by such an independent picturearchiving and communication system regardless of its unique datastructure. And, if the full-text search hits some data, integrated imageadministration server 6 converts the hit data into a data structureaccording to the own search system in indicating the result of search.Thus, the first picture archiving and communication system 5 or thesecond picture archiving and communication system 10 may not necessarilyincorporate the search system provided by integrated imageadministration server 6, but may insist on its own search system if sucha search system has already existed. However, it is of course true thatthe incorporation of the search system provided by integrated imageadministration server 6, which is a major portal site, may increase theability for the picture archiving and communication system to pull inmore customers due to the convenience, increased search efficiency, andless erroneous or miss search.

Integrated image administration server 6 displays the thumbnails of hitimages in the same manner regardless of whether they are from the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 or the second picturearchiving and communication system 10. In other words, thumbnails ofimages derived from a plurality of picture archiving and communicationsystems are displayed under the control of integrated imageadministration server 6 as if they are the result of search into asingle database system on integrated image administration server 6.

If a criterion for search set by the first user on integrated imageadministration server 6 hits an image uploaded from the first digitalcamera 1 and another image uploaded from the second digital camera 2,integrated image administration server 6 has the first digital camera 1or the first personal computer 7 display thumbnails of the hit images inthe same manner regardless of whether they are derived from the firstdigital camera 1 or the second digital camera 2. In other words,thumbnails of the owe image data and other's image data are displayed onthe own digital camera as if they are all taken by the own digitalcamera.

If the user selects one of the hit thumbnails displayed on the firstdigital camera 1 or the first monitor 8 under the control of integratedimage administration server 6, URL of the corresponding image data fordisplay size is designated to jump to one of the first picture archivingand communication system 5 and the second picture archiving andcommunication system 10 that actually keeps the image data. Thus, thefirst digital camera 1 or the first personal computer 7 automaticallyaccesses to the image data of the size suitable for display on the firstdigital camera 1 or the first monitor 8.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a digital camera 1 of the first embodimentin FIG. 1. The structure in FIG. 3 is the same as that in the seconddigital camera 2 in the first embodiment, the first digital camera 1 andthe second digital camera 2 in the second embodiment.

The first digital camera 1 controlled by camera controller 31 takes aphotograph in response to an operation of a release button included incamera operating portion 32 in such a manner that an image captured byimage taking portion 33 is processed by image processor 34 to be storedin image storage portion 35. The processed image data to be stored inimage storage portion 35 includes main image data of full-size, adisplay image data in a size suitable for displaying on display 40, andthumbnail data. Thumbnail data generally stored as a part of the mainimage data can also be copied as a data to be separately treated inrelationship to the main image.

The image data sorted in image storage portion 35 is normally kept atinternal storage 36. Image storage portion 35 further includes storagemedia drive 37 for receiving removable storage media 38 such as memorydisk or memory card, in which the image data is stored if internalstorage 36 is full. The image data stored in removable media 38,however, will be transferred to internal storage 36 if a room foroverwriting will be secured therein due to a sending of image data tothe first picture archiving and communication system 5. The removablestorage media 38 is also used in manually taking out image data outsidethe first digital camera 1. In other words, image data is coped frominternal storage 36 into removable storage media 38, which is then takenout from storage media drive 37 for the purpose of insertion into astorage media slot of another device such as the first personal computer7.

As has been explained, the image data which has been taken by firstdigital camera 1 is automatically sent to the first picture archivingand communication system 5 from local wireless communicator 39 throughInternet 4 when the digital camera 1 comes into the communication rangeof access point 3. On the other hand, the image data to be taken byfirst digital camera 1 will be instantly sent to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 from local wireless communicator 39through Internet 4 if the digital camera 1 has been already within thecommunication range of access point 3.

If the first digital camera 1 cannot come into the communication rangeof access point 3 in spite of little room left in image storage portion35 for overwriting new image data, such a caution is made that the firstuser is recommended to manually connect the digital camera 1 to his orher mobile phone with local wireless communicator 39 to send the imagein image storage portion 35 to the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 through Internet 4 by way of the mobile phone.Alternatively, the first digital camera 1 is designed in response tosuch a case to automatically connect to and control the mobile phone tosend the image in image storage portion 35 to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 through Internet 4 by way of themobile phone.

In a case that the first user is visiting a notable site, wirelesscommunicator 39 automatically receives information about the object tobe photographed from automatic information communicator located at theobject. The received information is automatically added to the imagedata as criterion for search when the image data is sent to the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 from the first digitalcamera 1. Since the information is used as a tag in the search system,it is automatically affixed to the image data as a form of the tag.

The information about the object in the notable site can be a form of abarcode printed on the guide sign of the object. And, the barcode isautomatically read by the first digital camera 1 if it is so directedthat the guide sign is in the angle of the camera lens which focuses theimage of the barcode on the image sensor in image taking portion 33,which can decode the barcode. Thus, the information to be added to theimage as the tag for searching the image can be optically gotten by thecamera image sensor in place of the wireless communicator 39.

Among image data, the main image data of full-size is automatically madedeletable from image storage portion 35 to secure a room for internalstorage 36 to accept new image data if the main image data has been sentto the first picture archiving and communication system 5. The mainimage data made thus deletable is not instantly deleted, but will beoverwritten by a new image data. If desired, however, a manual settingis possible to set the main image data not to be automatically madedeletable but is protected within image storage portion 35 even if themain image data has been sent to the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5. In this case, the main image data is kept with amark indicating that it has been sent to the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5. The main image data with such a mark isprevented from being sent again in the first digital camera 1, or isrejected by the first picture archiving and communication system 5 evenif erroneously sent. Further, in case that the main image data iserroneously accepted in duplicate, it will be afterward detected throughthe duplication check to neglect the redundant one form the result ofsearch.

The display image data in a size suitable for displaying on display 40for the taken photography, on the contrary, is automatically protectedwithin image storage portion 35 under some reasonable condition and timelimit even if the main image data has been sent to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5. This makes it possible for thefirst user to play back the image again on the first digital camera 1without accessing the first picture archiving and communication system5. For example, the display image data for the photographs taken on theday are protected within image storage portion 35 unless the firstdigital camera 1 is not in use over a prescribed period of time, e.g.more than three hours, after the date changes, the display image databeing made deletable from image storage portion 35 in automatic responseto the lapse of the period to secure a room for internal storage 36 toaccept new image data. If the first user wants to playback the displayimage data on the display 40 and the image data has been overwritten inimage storage portion 35, he or she is to access to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 to retrieve the image data.

The display image data in a size suitable for displaying on display 40is regularly prepared on the side of the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 on the basis of the received main image data offull-size. So, the display image data is basically downloaded by thefirst digital camera 1 upon playback, though the display image data isonce made by the first digital camera 1 when the photograph is taken.

Memory 41 stores the basic software for operation the first digitalcamera 1 as well as various data necessary in the camera operation.Memory 41 also stores data necessary for the first digital camera 1 tocollaborate with the first picture archiving and communication system 5and integrated image administration server 6

Power source 42 for powering the entire elements in the first digitalcamera 1 is of an ordinary type including a structure for receiving arechargeable battery. Power source 42 is connected to noncontact powerreceiver 43, which receives power from noncontact power transmitterlocated at wireless access point 3 to charge the rechargeable battery inpower source 42.

GPS and direction sensor 44 detects the location of the first digitalcamera 1 and the direction to which the lens of the first digital camera1 is facing. The information detected by GPS and direction sensor 44 isautomatically added to the image data as criterion for search when theimage data is sent to the first picture archiving and communicationsystem 5 from the first digital camera 1. Since the information is usedas a tag in the search system, it is automatically affixed to the imagedata as a form of the tag.

GPS and direction sensor 44 is also capable of displaying on display 40how to get to the nearest access point if the first digital camera 1 isoutside the communication range of any access point.

It is possible for the first user to display on display 40 relevantphotographs taken by others if such photographs are searched on criteriarelating to the current location of the first digital camera 1 such asinformation gotten by one or combination of GPS and direction sensor 44,local wireless communicator 39 and image taking portion 33 reading thebarcode. Further, not only the photographs but also Weblog created inrelation to the photographs can be searched to be displayed on display40. Thus, the user of the first digital camera 1 can get the latesttravel information in the form of photograph and Weblog about the placewhere he or she now is. Further, is can be expected that someone uploadsphotographs and Weblog on neighborhood shops or cafes, the systemaccording to this invention serves as an effective local advertisingmedia for such shops and cafes.

FIG. 4 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera 1 in FIG. 3 to show camera operating portion 32 and display 40 inwhich thumbnails are shown for playback of the image. The followingexplanation will be made on the assumption that the first digital camerais set to automatically access to integrated image administration server6 if the playback mode is selected in the first digital camera 1.

The first digital camera 1 is turned ON in the playback mode if powerbutton 51 is operated. In other words, if power button 51 is operated,the first digital camera 1 is checked whether or not it is within thecommunication range of access point 3. If it is determined that thefirst digital camera 1 is in the communication range, the first digitalcamera 1 automatically accesses to integrated image administrationserver 6 through Internet 4, the first digital camera 1 afterward beingkept in connection with integrated image administration server 6 untilthe first digital camera 1 goes out of the communication range of accesspoint 3 or the first digital camera 1 is turned OFF by power button 51.Connection status is displayed by online/off-line indicator 52 indisplay 40. FIG. 4 shows that the first digital camera 1 is connectedwith integrated image administration server 6, which is indicated withonline box automatically ticked at online/off-line indicator 52. Thechange in ticking between online box and off-line box at online/off-lineindicator 52 can be made afterward by manually operating arrow key 54 ornumeric keypad 55.

Scope section 53 is to show the scope of search conducted by integratedimage administration server 6 to hit images to be played back. In otherwords, scope section 53 includes a private box for searching own imagesof the first user only, a favorite box for searching images taken byothers and once selected by the first user, a member box for searchingimages of a closed member including the first user, and a pubic box forsearching all published images without limitation, one of the boxesbeing for selection. The first digital camera 1 is turned ON in theplayback mode with the private box automatically ticked as shown in FIG.4 so as to limit the playback function to own images of the first useras in the case of ordinary digital cameras in the playback mode. Thechange in ticking among the four boxes at scope section 53 can be madeafterward by manually operating arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55.

Search condition box 56 is for inputting free criteria such as phototaking date and time, photo taking place, information of the object,image sending date and time, title of the image and search tag as wellas the name of members in scope section 53 by means of manuallyoperating arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55. Criteria in combinationshould be separated with a space when input in search condition box 56.The combination of criteria may be possibly between different types suchas “photo taking date and time” and “ ”title of the image”, or betweenthe same type such as a plurality of tags. The manner of combination ofcriteria is set by ticking one of AND box or OR box at combinationdesignator 57.

The first digital camera 1 is turned ON in the playback mode with “None”automatically input in condition box 56 and with no tick in any of theboxes at combination designator 57 as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, integratedimage administration server 6 searches into all images with user ID ofthe first user to indicate thumbnails 58 on display 40 in the order ofthe date and time from the latest. Thumbnails which cannot be displayedon display 40 can be viewed by scrolling the display by arrow key 54.

If one of thumbnails 58 on display 40 is selected by arrow key 54 ornumeric keypad 55, the connection jumps to the picture archiving andcommunication system which keeps image data corresponding to theselected thumbnail to display the image downloaded from the system withpossible area of display 40 used.

If the first user wants under some condition to search into own imagedata which have been uploaded to the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55 are to bemanually operated to input desired criteria at search condition box 56with one of AND box or OR box at combination designator 57 ticked. Arrowkey 54 can be tilted to the left, right, top and bottom for selection ofthe indication elements on display 40 as well as pushed down forentering a command for some function. Thus, the pushing down of arrowkey 54 with the input or selection of criteria for search completedcauses the searching operation by integrated image administration server6 to display thumbnails 58 on display 40 as the result of the search.

If the first user wants to search into image data of a group of closedmembers, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55 are to be manually operatedto tick the member box at scope section 53, which causes condition box56 to prepare a pull-down menu of options for group selection, the userbeing capable of selecting one in the menu by arrow key 54 or numerickeypad 55. The options in the pull-down menu are shown as a list ofgroup names each consisting of closed members. Even if an operation tostart the search is made with no group selected in error, integratedimage administration server 6 would not respond, but displays an errormessage informing of incapability of search due to no groupidentification.

If the first user wants to limit search into the selected group ofclosed members, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55 are to be manuallyoperated to input desired criteria at search condition box 56 with oneof AND box or OR box at combination designator 57 ticked.

If arrow key 54 is pushed down with the input or selection of criteriafor search completed, integrated image administration server 6 starts tosearch into the image data of the selected group, thumbnails 58 as theresult of the search being displayed on display 40. In this case,integrated image administration server 6 searches into image data keptby the first picture archiving and communication system 5, the secondpicture archiving and communication system 10 and any other picturearchiving and communication systems, the hit thumbnails being displayedin a uniform format and in a predetermined order such as date regardlessof the picture archiving and communication systems which keep imagedata. Further, as long as the image data hit by the same criteria, theresultant thumbnails are displayed in a uniform layout and in apredetermined order regardless of whether they are taken by the firstuser or another in the selected group.

If the first user wants to search under some condition into image datapublished without limitation, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55 are tobe manually operated to tick the public box at scope section 53.Further, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55 are to be manually operatedto input desired criteria at search condition box 56 with one of AND boxor OR box at combination designator 57 ticked.

If the first user wants to search under some condition into image datataken by others and once selected by the first user, arrow key 54 ornumeric keypad 55 are to be manually operated to tick the favorite boxat scope section 53. If the first user wants to further limit searchinto the favorite image data, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55 are tobe manually operated to input desired criteria at search condition box56 with one of AND box or OR box at combination designator 57 ticked.

If arrow key 54 is pushed down with the input or selection of criteriafor search completed, integrated image administration server 6 starts tosearch into the favorite image data, thumbnails 58 as the result of thesearch being displayed on display 40. Also in this case, integratedimage administration server 6 searches into image data kept by the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5, the second picturearchiving and communication system 10 and any other picture archivingand communication systems, the hit thumbnails being displayed in auniform format and in a predetermined order such as date regardless ofthe picture archiving and communication systems which keep image data.

In searching into image data published without limitation, such anautomatic criteria input mode is possible that information of the objectautomatically gotten by GPS and direction sensor 44, or local wirelesscommunicator 39 receiving in a notable site, or image taking portion 33reading barcode as well as date and time information are automaticallyinput at search condition box 56. According to such automatic input ofcriteria, integrated image administration server 6 can automatically hitimages of the same object taken by others in the same season as theobject which the first user is going to take. Such result of theautomatic search may be some help of the first user in determining angleor composition of his or her own photograph to take.

In any case of searching into the image data of a closed member and theimage data published without limitation, if one of thumbnails 58 ondisplay 40 is selected by arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55, theconnection jumps to the picture archiving and communication system whichkeeps image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail to display theimage downloaded from the system with possible area of display 40 used.

If photo button 59 is pushed in half, the first digital camera 1 isswitched from the playback mode to the photo taking mode. If photobutton 59 is pushed in full, on the other hand, photo taking is done inthe photo taking mode. Send button 60 is to be pushed for manuallysending the image data by way of the mobile phone when the first digitalcamera 1 is outside the communication range of any of wireless accesspoints. View button 61 is for switching the first digital camera fromthe photo taking mode to the playback mode. Attribute edit button 62 isused upon editing the attribute such relating to the image kept by thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5. In other words, theattribute such as the title or tags of the image are made changeable ifattribute edit button 62 is pushed. Attribute edit button 62 is alsoused upon editing images for making an electric album. If attribute editbutton 62 is pushed in the condition of FIG. 4 in which “None” is incondition box 56 and private box is ticked at scope section 53,thumbnails of images to which attribute is provisionally affixed aresearched and displayed. More detailed explanation as to the functions ofthe above buttons will be given later.

FIG. 5 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera 1 in the playback mode, which is similar to FIG. 4 except forwhat is displayed on display 40. In other words, FIG. 5 shows acondition of display 40 when one of the hit thumbnails in FIG. 4 isselected by operating arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55. So the samenumeral is used for identifying the same element throughout FIG. 4 andFIG. 5, duplicate explanation being omitted in FIG. 5.

If one of thumbnails 58 on display 40 is selected in FIG. 4, theconnection jumps to the picture archiving and communication system whichkeeps image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail to displayimage 71 downloaded from the system with possible area of display 40used. Further, title box 72, photo taking date and time box 73 and tagbox 74 shows their contents, respectively. If the area of box isinsufficient to show the entire contents, an enlarged box opens inresponse to a manual operation of arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55. Tagbox 74 shows a apace-divided plurality of tags, some of the those tagssuch as “fencing” being manually affixed while other of tags such as“arena” being automatically afficed by receiving information at localwireless communicator 39 or GPS and direction sensor 44.

In the display above, the selected image is displayed in a uniformlayout in FIG. 5 regardless of whether they are taken by the first useror another in the selected group.

In FIG. 5, scope section 53 of similar layout to that in FIG. 4 isdisplayed. However, the meaning of scope section 63 somewhat differsbetween FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. In other words, scope section 53 in FIG. 4means the scope of search to hit a plurality of image data while section53 in FIG. 5 means origin of the selected one image data.

Thumbnail button 75 is to be operated by arrow key 54 or numeric keypad55 if the first use desires to return to the display in FIG. 4. One of apair of image feed buttons 76 is operated by arrow key 54 or numerickeypad 55 in FIG. 5 to replace display image 71 by another imagecorresponding to the last thumbnail or the next thumbnail in the orderof displayed in FIG. 4.

The above explanation has been made on a case the first digital camera 1is set to be turned ON in the playback mode to display thumbnails 58 asin FIG. 4 if power button 51 is operated. According to the explanation,the display of image 71 in FIG. 5 is to be caused by a manual selectionof one of the thumbnails in FIG. 4 through operation of arrow key 54 ornumeric keypad 55.

The first digital camera 1, however, can be set to be turned ON in theplayback mode to directly display image 71 as in FIG. 5 if power button51 is operated. Also in such a setting, the first digital camera 1automatically accesses to integrated image administration server 6through Internet 4 to automatically tick online box at online/off-lineindicator 52 if it is determined that the first digital camera 1 is inthe communication range. Further, the first digital camera 1 is turnedON also in this setting with “None” automatically input in condition box56 and with no tick in any of the boxes at combination designator 57though condition box 56 and combination designator 57 in not overtlydisplayed in FIG. 5. In this setting, the latest of the own images hitby integrated image administration server 6 is automatically selected asdisplay image 71 in FIG. 5.

If another image is desired to be displayed, image feed buttons 76 isoperated to replace display image 71 in FIG. 5 or thumbnail button 75 isoperated to change into the display in FIG. 4 in which reselection ofthumbnail is possible.

If an image taken by another person is displayed on display 40 asdisplay image 71, public box or member box is ticked at scope section53. Favorite button 77 is to be operated if the first user wants todesignate display image 71 as favorite. And display image 71 is easilyregistered as favorite image, favorite box at scope section 53 beingautomatically ticked in response to the operation of favorite button 77.Thus, display image 71 thus designated and registered will be hit if asearch will be made with favorite box ticked as the searching condition.

FIG. 6 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera 1 in the playback mode, which is similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 exceptfor what is displayed on display 40. In other words, FIG. 6 showsdisplay 40 in attribute edit mode caused by operation of attribute editbutton 62 in FIG. 5 with display image 71 displayed. Favorite button 77is not displayed in FIG. 6 for avoiding confusion. The same numeral isused for identifying the same element throughout FIG. 4 to FIG. 6,duplicate explanation being omitted in FIG. 6.

Display image 71 in FIG. 5 is displayed in FIG. 6 as reduced size image81 with its attribute such as title, tags and scope section selectionbeing made editable. In contrast, title, tags and scope sectionselection cannot be edited in FIG. 5 though favorite designation can bemade.

In editing title of image 81 in FIG. 6, arrow key 54 or numeric keypad55 is operated to rewrite title box 72.

Also in editing tags affixed to image 81 in FIG. 6, arrow key 54 ornumeric keypad 55 is operated to rewrite tag box 74. Further, affixedtag window 82 and existing tag window 83 are prepared in display 40 forassisting the first user in editing tags for the purpose of boosting thechance for the own image laid open to the public to become popular. Inthis view point, public box is ticked at scope section 53. Though theadvantage is less, however, affixed tag window 82 and existing tagwindow 83 can also be operable with member box or private box ticked atscope section 53.

All tags affixed to displayed image 81 are shown in affixed tag window82. On the other hand, tags identical with or resembling or relating toany of tags in affixed tag window 82 are automatically searched andshown in existing tag window 83. Most of such tags in existing tagwindow 83 are not originated by the first user, but by others. Identicaltags between affixed tag window 82 and existing tag window 83 aredistinguished form other tags with underline or different color. Forexample, “fencing” and “sports” are underlined in both affixed tagwindow 82 and existing tag window 83 since they are identical with eachother. Tags in existing tag window 83 are of different font sizedepending on their popularities which are determined by integrated imageadministration server 6 counting the frequency of affixing of each tag,respectively. For example, “sports” in the largest font size is the mostpopular tag, and “Olympics” is the second in FIG. 6.

The first user, who wants own image to be viewed by others as many aspossible through integrated image administration server 6, can changetags with the relation of affixed tag window 82 to existing tag window83 taken into consideration. For example, the first user can know fromexisting tag window 83 that there is no image uploaded by another withthe tag, “fight” affixed to reduced size image 81. And, if the firstuser thinks that reduced size image 81 has less chance of being hit byothers with the tag, “fight”, the fist user may operate arrow key 54 ornumeric keypad 55 to delete or replace the tag, “fight”. Alternatively,the first user may leave the tag, “fight” undeleted since there is nolimitation to the number of tags for one image.

Further, the first user can know from existing tag window 83 that otherimages uploaded with the tag, “sword” which relates to “fencing” andthat “spirit” or “tournament” which may have some relation to “fight”have been affixed to some images of others. Thus, the first use can addat least one of “sword”, “spirit” and “tournament” to affixed tag window82 if he or she thinks such addition may boost the chance for reducedsize image 81 of being hit by others. The addition of one of tags, e.g.,“sword”, in existing tag window 83 into affixed tag window 82 can beeasily done by operating copy button 84 with “sword” selected inexisting tag window 83 by arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55.

On the other hand, the first user can know that many images are uploadedby others with the tag, “sports” which is very popular in existing tagwindow 83. Thus, if the first user thinks that reduced size image 81 hasless chance of being selected among a great number of images which willbe hit by others with the tag, “sports”, the fist user may operate arrowkey 54 or numeric keypad 55 to delete or replace the tag, “sports”.Since the popular tag has double meaning that great number of imageswill be hit with the popular tag as well as that many persons willconduct search with the popular tag. So, it is also reasonable not todelete “sports”, but rather to add a popular tag such as “Olympics” inexisting tag window 83 into affixed tag window 82 to increase the chancefor reduced size image 81 to be hit by others. Especially, the populartags are useful in combination with other specific tag.

As has been understood, the display of both existing tag window 83 andaffixed tag window 82 in a comparable manner, the indication withunderline or different color of relationship between tags in existingtag window 83 and affixed tag window 82, and the copy of tag formexisting tag window 83 to affixed tag window 82 are very usefulassistance for tag edition.

The functions of causing the display layout on display 40 in theplayback mode such as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 can also be effectiveeven if the first digital camera 1 is not within the communication rangeof any access point. In other words, the display layout in the playbackmode is controlled not only by integrated image administration server 6online, but also by the display software downloaded form integratedimage administration server 6 and installed in memory 41 of the firstdigital camera 1, which functions even if the first digital camera 1 isnot connected to integrated image administration server 6.

Accordingly, if the display layout controlled by integrated imageadministration server 6 online is improved, the corresponding newdisplay software is automatically downloaded to update the memory 41,which makes it possible for the first digital camera 1 to control thedisplay in accordance with the most recent layout even in off-linestate. Thus, the display layout in the playback mode of the firstdigital camera 1 continuously and automatically evolves after the firstdigital camera 1 is bought.

The substantially same display layout in the playback mode throughoutthe online state and the off-line state of the first digital camera 1makes it possible for the first user to operate the first digital camera1 in the same manner regardless of whither the first digital camera 1 isin online state or in off-line state. The above feature of thisinvention that operations in the online state are substantially the sameas those in the off-line state, which is familiar in conventionaldigital cameras, is advantageous to remove the barrier otherwise gettingin the way of the ordinary user to enjoy the digital camera within anonline system.

As mentioned above, the basic display layout in the playback mode doesnot change throughout the online state and the off-line state. However,partial differences are naturally caused or intentionally made foravoiding confusion.

In FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 for example, the member box and the public box atscope section 53 are made unseen or pale with off-line box ticked atonline/off-line indicator 52. Further, it is needless to say that thehit thumbnails or images displayed on display 40 are the result ofsearching into image data left in image storage portion 35 within thefirst digital camera 1.

In FIG. 6, on the other hand, the member box and the public box at scopesection 53 are indicated in the normal manner for accepting edition evenif the off-line box ticked at online/off-line indicator 52. In otherwords, the edition at scope section 53 as to the image 81 is possibleeven in off-line state. Existing tag 83, however, is not displayed withoff-line box ticked at online/off-line indicator 52 since no informationof existing tags is obtainable in off-line state. Further, the underlinein affixed tag 82 for some tag, such as “fencing” is not indicated inoff-line state.

The result of edition made during off-line state will be automaticallytransmitted to the first picture archiving and communication system 5when the first digital camera 1 will come into the communication rangeof some access point. And, the searching result will be automaticallyupdated with the new edition incorporated.

FIG. 7 is a schematic external view of a principal part of the digitalcamera 1 in the photo taking mode, which is similar to FIGS. 4 and 5except for what is displayed on display 40. In other words, FIG. 7 showsdisplay 40 in photo taking mode, which is caused by pushing photo button59 in half in one of the conditions of FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 to switch thefirst digital camera 1 from the playback mode to the photo taking mode.Display 40 in the photo taking mode of FIG. 7 displays video image 91which is currently taken by image taking portion 33. The same numeral isused for identifying the same element throughout FIG. 4 to FIG. 6,duplicate explanation being omitted in FIG. 6.

The video image 91 on display 40 in the photo taking mode helps thefirst user to decide the framing of the picture to be taken by the firstdigital camera 1. If the first user pushed photo button 59 in full withthe framing satisfactory, the image data taken by image taking portion33 corresponding to video image 91 is processed by image processor 34 tobe recorded in image storage portion 35.

The image data store in image storage portion 35 is to be automaticallytransmitted form local wireless communicator 39 to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 by way of wireless access point 3.

If the first digital camera 1 cannot come into the communication rangeof access point 3 in spite of little room left in image storage portion35 for overwriting new image data, caution 92 is overlapped on videoimage 91 in display 40 for informing the first user of the full capacitywhich needs a sending of the taken image data to secure room for the newimage data. If the first user at the appearance of the caution 92 pushessend button 60, the digital camera 1 is automatically connected to hisor her mobile phone with local wireless communicator 39 so that themobile phone automatically calls a predetermined server on Internet 4 tosend the image in image storage portion 35 to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5.

Alternatively, the first digital camera 1 is so prepared in response tothe case causing caution 92 to automatically connect to and control themobile phone to send the image in image storage portion 35 to the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 through Internet 4 by wayof the mobile phone.

Caution 92 is made in two steps, the preliminary caution and emergentcaution. The following description is for explaining these two steps ofcautions.

A part of the capacity of image storage portion 35 is assigned to thedisplay image data in a size suitable for displaying on display 40. Anold display image data which can be overwritten will be replaced by anew display image data if the assigned capacity of image storage portion35 is full. Since the display image data has been kept by the firstpicture archiving and communication system 5 for being downloaded uponrequest, it is basically needless to keep the display image data inimage storage portion 35 in duplicate. However, above mentioned capacityis secured for keeping the display image data of high possibility ofbeing viewed again in case the camera will go out of communication rangeof any access point. On the other hand, majority part of the capacity ofimage storage portion 35 is secured for recording main image data offull-size to be newly taken.

On the assumption of capacity assignment above, if the capacity securedfor the main image data to be newly taken becomes full with noopportunity available for sending the already taken main image data tothe first picture archiving and communication system 5, a preliminarycaution such as “Capacity full, but additional 5 shots possible ifreplaceable display image data deleted” is given as caution 92. Thismeans that the photograph itself can be taken by cutting into thecapacity assigned to the display image data even though the alreadytaken main image data is not sent at once by means of mobile phoneconnection. Thus, photo taking action can be continued with such apreliminary caution being made if the shutter chance is preferred thansecuring capacity assigned to the main image data.

On the other hand, if the capacity of image storage portion 35 becomesfull with all available capacity assigned to the display image dataconsumed, an emergent caution such as “Capacity absolutely full!” torecommend the first user to send at once the already taken main imagedata to the first picture archiving and communication system 5 by meansof mobile phone connection to secure capacity for new main image data tobe taken.

In place of making the above mentioned two steps of cautions, it ispossible to display two levels of indication of remaining capacity. Inother words, in the first level of indication, the remaining capacity ofimage storage portion 35 assigned to the main image data is displayed.And, when the capacity assigned to the main image data becomes full tohave to cut into the capacity assigned to the display image data, theindication is automatically switched from the first level to the secondlevel to display the available capacity assigned to the display imagedata. For distinguishing the second level of indication from the firstlevel, the color of indicating remaining capacity is changed.

In addition to the remaining capacity indication for image storageportion 35 in the first digital camera 1, the remaining capacity in thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 secured for the firstuser under the contract with the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 is to be indicated.

Above indication of the remaining capacity for image data and necessarycaution about the remaining capacity will be explained later in moredetail.

Display 40 in FIG. 7 further shows auxiliary window 93 for displayingthe last taken image. Therefore, the first user can decide the newframing of the picture to be taken by means of comparing video image 91with the latest taken image in auxiliary window 93.

If the setting of the first digital camera 1 is changed, it is possibleto display in auxiliary window 93 the last image data appearing in theplayback mode such as in FIG. 5 before switching to the photo takingmode. According to such a setting, the first user can compare videoimage 91 with the similar photograph of own or another searched in theplayback mode to decide the framing of the picture to be taken by thefirst digital camera 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the basic function of camera controller 31 inthe first digital camera 1 of the first embodiment in FIG. 3. The flowchart shows various functions when the first digital camera is turnedON.

The flow in FIG. 8 starts when power button 51 is operated to go to stepS1, in which the playback mode is automatically set. The flow then goesto step S2, in which automatic online selection is set. The automaticonline selection means the function of automatically switching betweenonline/off-line settings, in which the online state is set in automaticresponse to the detection that the first digital camera comes into thecommunication range of a wireless access point, while the off-line stateis set in automatic response to the detection that the first digitalcamera is not within the communication range of any wireless accesspoint.

In manual online selection setting, on the contrary, the first digitalcamera 1 would not be switched to online state as long as the off-linebox is ticked at online/off-line indicator 52 even if the first digitalcamera comes into the communication range of a wireless access point.So, if the online state is desired, online box at online/off-lineindicator 52 is to be manually ticked with the first digital camerawithin the communication range of a wireless access point. Even ifonline box at online/off-line indicator 52 is manually ticked with thefirst digital camera outside the communication range of any wirelessaccess point, the first digital camera would not respond to such manualoperation, but makes a caution of outside the communication range forthe first user to understand the reason why online/off-line indicator 52cannot be changed.

If the first digital camera 1 is made online state through any course ofthe automatic or manual online selections, the ID and password isautomatically sent from the first digital camera 1 to the first picturearchiving and communication system 5 and integrated image administrationserver 6 to automatically make the first digital camera 1 into logonstate with them.

After the automatic online selection setting in step S2, the flowadvances to step S3 to automatically tick the private box at scopesection 53. Further in step S4, the flow automatically sets theunconditioned search, in which “None” is automatically input incondition box 56 and with no tick in any of the boxes at combinationdesignator 57. Thus, integrated image administration server 6 can searchinto all images with user ID of the first user

In step S5, it is checked whether or not the first digital camera iswithin the communication range of any wireless access point. And, if itis detected that the first digital camera is within the communicationrange of some wireless access point, the flow advances to step S6 to setthe first digital camera into online state.

Next, in step S7 it is checked whether or not image storage portion 35keeps image data which has not been sent to the first picture archivingand communication system 5 yet. If there has been no chance for thefirst digital camera 1 to become online state after the photograph hasbeen taken in off-line state, image storage portion 35 keeps such imagedata. In this case, the flow advances to step S8 to carry out theuploading process, in which the unsent image data is uploaded to thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 through Internet. Theflow then goes to step S9. On the other hand, if is not detected in stepS7 that image storage portion 35 keeps unsent image data, the flowdirectly goes to step S9.

In step S9, the capacity indication process is carried out to update thechange in the remaining capacity caused by step S8 or laps ofpredetermined time. The uploading process in step S8 and the capacityindication process will be explained later in more detail.

Next in step S10, the search result updating process is carried out toget the latest result of the search conducted by integrated imageadministration server 6 through Internet 4. Then the flow advances tostep S11, in which the order of displaying the search result is set sothat the hit thumbnails are displayed in the order of the photo takingdate and time from the latest. The hit thumbnails include the image datauploaded in step S8. The display order set in step S11 can be setalternatively in the order of the photo taking date and time from theoldest, or the alphabetical order of the title or tag for the imagedata.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S5 that the firstdigital camera is within the communication range of some wireless accesspoint, the flow advances to step S12 to set the first digital camerainto off-line state. The flow then goes to step S13 to have cameracontroller 31 search into own image storage portion 35, the flow thengoing to step S11 to set the order of displaying the search result sothat the hit thumbnails are displayed in the order of the photo takingdate and time from the latest.

Following to step S11, the flow advances to step S14 to enable variousinterruptions. The enabled interruption includes a jump to the displayin FIG. 4 caused by the operation of thumbnail button 75 since thefunction of flow in FIG. 8 is according to such a setting that the firstdigital camera 1 is turned ON in the playback mode to directly displayimage 71 as in FIG. 5 if power button 51 is operated.

For the reason above, the flow advances to step S15, in which one imagedata with the latest photo taking date and time is automaticallyselected among all of possibly a plurality of hit image data as theresult of the search. Next in step S16, image display process is carriedout to prepare display image 71 and display the same as in FIG. 5. Theimage display process will be explained later in detail. The flow inFIG. 8 then terminates to make the first digital camera 1 into thestandby state.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the function of camera controller 31 whenthumbnail button 75 is pushed in the display condition in FIG. 5. If theflow of FIG. 9 starts in response the push of thumbnail button 75,thumbnails hit by the search are displayed in step S22 to result in thedisplay of FIG. 4. The display layout in FIG. 4 is the same regardlessof whether the search into the images has been done in accordance withsearch result updating process in S10 or search into own memory in stepS13 of the flow in FIG. 8

Next in step S24, it is checked whether or not one of thumbnails 58 isselected within a predetermined time period. And, if a thumbnailselection is detected in step S24, the flow goes to step S26, in whichimage display process is carried out. On the other hand, if anythumbnail selection is not detected in step S24 within the predeterminedtime period, the flow goes to step S28.

In step S28, it is checked whether or not any operation relating to asearch is done. In detail, it is checked in step S28 whether or notarrow key 54 is operated. If an operation of arrow key is detected instep S28, the flow goes to step S30 to carry out search process, theflow then going to step S32. The search process in step S30 will beexplained later in more detail. On the other hand, if any operation forsearch is not detected in step S28, the flow directly goes to step S32.

In step S32, it is checked whether or not any operation of photo button59 is done. If some operation of photo button 59 is detected in stepS32, the flow goes to step S34 in which the photo taking mode process iscarried out. The photo taking mode process will be explained later inmore detail.

If any operation of photo button 59 is not detected in step S32, theflow goes to step S36 to check whether or not the first digital camera 1is turned OFF by operating power button 51. If no power OFF operation isdetected in step S36, the flow returns to step S22 to repeat a loop ofstep S22 to step S36 unless any operation is detected in step S24 orstep S32 or step S36. If a new search process is carried out in step S30during the repetitions of the loop of step S22 to step S36, the displayof thumbnails in step S22 is updated in accordance with a new result ofthe search. On the other hand, if power OFF operation is detected instep S36, the flow goes to the end.

As has been mentioned, the above explanation of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 ismade according to such a setting that the first digital camera 1 isturned ON in the playback mode to directly display image 71 as in FIG. 5if power button 51 is operated. On the other hand, if the first digitalcamera 1 is set to be turned ON in the playback mode to display hitthumbnails 58 as in FIG. 4 in response to the operation of power button51, the flow of FIG. 8 automatically jumps from step S14 to step S22 ofFIG. 9. In other words, the flow of FIG. 9 automatically stars followingstep S14 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image display processin step S16 of FIG. 8 and step S26 of FIG. 9. If the flow starts, it ischecked in step S42 whether or not the first digital camera 1 is withinthe communication range of any of wireless access points. If it isdetermined in step S42 that the first digital camera 1 is within thecommunication range, the flow advances to step S44 to check whether ornot the automatic online selection is set. If not, the flow goes to stepS46 to check whether not the online setting is manually selected. If itis determined in step S46 that the online setting is manually selected,the flow then going to step S48. On the other hand, if it is determinedin step S44 that the automatic online selection is set, the flowdirectly goes to step S48.

Next in step S48, it is checked whether or not the selected displayimage data has been gotten to be kept in image storage portion 35. Ifnot, the flow goes to step S50 in which display image getting process iscarried out. In step S48, even if the selected image was once gotten, itis determined that the selected image data has not been gotten if theselected image data once gotten has gone due to be overwritten byanother display image.

In the display image getting process in step S50, the connection jumpsfrom URL for displaying hit thumbnails provided by integrated imageadministration server 6 to URL for displaying the selected imageprovided by the first picture archiving and communication system 5, thedisplay image data at the latter URL being downloaded to keep in imagestorage portion 35. Next, in step S52, the display image data gottenthrough step S52 is displayed on display 40, which results in thedisplay layout in FIG. 5 showing display image 71 with attribute data 53and 72 to 74.

On the other hand, if it is not determined that the first digital camera1 is within the communication range of any access point, the flowadvances to step S54 to retrieve selected display image data from imagestorage portion 35. In this case, the selected image data is stored inimage storage portion 35 without fail since the search in step S13 isconducted only into image storage portion 35 which is caused bydetermination in step S5 that the first digital camera 1 is not withinthe communication range of any access point. The flow then advances fromstep S54 to step S52, in which the display layout in FIG. 5 is alsocaused to show display image 71 with attribute data 53 and 72 to 74.

As is apparent from the above, the display layout in FIG. 5 does notalter depending on whether the first digital camera 1 is in the onlinestate or the off-line state except for the tick at online/off-lineindicator 52. Thus, the first user can enjoy the display mode with noattention paid to whether the first digital camera 1 is in the onlinestate or the off-line state unless the first user intentionally wants tochange the tick at online/off-line indicator 52. Further, since theoperation of the first digital camera 1 is the same both in online stateand in off-line state, the first user can operate the first digitalcamera as if it were a conventional digital camera with no specialoperations in the online state necessary.

Further, if the display layout in FIG. 5 is changed due to an upgradingof the software in the first picture archiving and communication system5 or the like, the upgraded display software is simultaneously andautomatically downloaded to be kept in memory 41. Thus, even in off-linestate, the digital camera 1 carries out the display mode according tothe upgraded software in memory 41. So, the common display layoutbetween the online state and the off-line state is kept in tune witheach other without any difference caused by an upgrading.

The common layout and its simultaneous maintenance between online stateand off-line state are not only true in the display image layout of FIG.5, but also in the thumbnails layout of FIG. 4.

To return to the explanation of the flow, if it is not determined instep S46 that the online setting is manually selected although the firstdigital camera 1 is within the communication range, there is no need tonewly get the display image. Similarly, if it is determined in step 48that the selected display image data has been gotten to be kept in imagestorage portion 35, there is no need to further get the display image.So in both cases the flow goes to step S54 to retrieve selected displayimage data from image storage portion 35.

As has been understood, there is theoretically no need to get theselected display image data if it has been gotten to be kept in imagestorage portion 35. However, provided that the baud rate of datatransmission from the first picture archiving and communication system 5to the first digital camera 1 is extremely high, such a modification maybe possible that the first digital camera 1 is to get the selecteddisplay image data by means of step S50 even if it has been gotten intoimage storage portion 35. This may update the same display image data inimage storage portion 35 in accordance with a possible refinement madeon the same display image data in the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5.

It is possible to design the first digital camera 1 so that the firstuser can predetermine whether or not to carry out step 50 when theselected display image data has been gotten to be kept in image storageportion 35.

After displaying image 71 with attribute data 53 and 72 to 74 in stepS24, the flow goes to step S56 to check whether or not attribute editbutton 62 is operated. If done, the flow goes to step S58 to carry theattribute edition process. The attribute edition process in step S58will be explained later in detail. On the other hand, if it is notdetected in step S56 that attribute edit button 62 is operated, the flowgoes to step S60.

In step S60, it is checked whether or not photo button 59 is operated.If done, the flow goes to step S62 to carry the photo taking modeprocess. On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S60 that photobutton 59 is operated, the flow goes to step S64.

In step S64, it is checked whether or not one of the pair of image feedbuttons 76 is operated. Also in step S64, if the image feeding operationis done, a new display image is selected in accordance with the imagefeeding direction determined by the operated one of the pair of imagefeed buttons 76. In other words, the last or the next image data in theorder set in step S11 of FIG. 8 is selected in dependence on which oneof the pair of image feed buttons 76 is operated. Upon the completion ofselecting the new display image, the flow returns to step 42 to displaythe new display image in accordance with the already explained processin step 42 to step S52

Thus, the display image 71, scope section 53, title box 72, photo takingdate and time box 73 and tag box 74 are replaced by new display imagedata and its attributes with the layout of display 40 in FIG. 5 takenover.

If it is not detected in step S64 that any of the pair of image feedbuttons 76 is operated, the flow advances to step 68 to whether or notthe first digital camera 1 is turned OFF by operating power button 51.If no power OFF operation is detected in step S68, the flow returns tostep S56 to repeat a loop of step S56 to step S68 unless any operationis detected in step S56 or step S60 or step S64 or step S68. On theother hand, if power OFF operation is detected in step S68, the flowgoes to the end.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image search processin step S30 of FIG. 9. If arrow key 54 is operated, the flow in FIG. 10starts to go to step S71 to retrieve the last search condition, which isstored in memory 41. Next, in step 72 it is checked whether or not anynew search condition is set by arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55. If anew search condition is set, the flow goes to step S74 to replace theretrieved last condition by the set new search condition to go to stepS76. On the other hand, if it is not detected that any new searchcondition is set, the flow directly goes to step S76 with the retrievedlast search condition kept.

In step S76, it is checked whether or not the first digital camera 1 iswithin the communication range of any of wireless access points. If itis not detected that the first digital camera 1 is within thecommunication range, the flow goes to step S78 to check whether or notthe set search condition is impossible outside the communication range.In the case of impossible search condition, the flow goes to step S80 toautomatically replace the impossible search condition by a possiblesearch condition which resembles the impossible condition. For example,if the search condition includes a tick in the member box or the publicbox at scope section 53, the tick is automatically changed into theprivate box or the favorite box, the manner of such automatic changebeing predetermined in detail if desired. The automatic replacement ofsearch condition can be predetermined to be occur in condition box 56.

Thus, even in a case that no new search condition setting is detected instep S72, there can be a case that the retrieved last search conditionis replaced by a new one to automatically follow a change such as theswitching from the online state to off-line state. This automaticreplacement of search condition, of course, automatically occurs if anew search condition, which is set by arrow key 54 or numeric keypad 55and detected in step S72, is an impossible search condition in theoff-line state.

Thus, the automatic replacement of search condition means an inhibitionof setting an impossible search condition in the off-line state when thefist digital camera 1 is outside the communication range of any ofwireless access points.

Following step S80, the flow advances to step S82. On the other hand,the flow directly advances to step S82 if it is detected in step S76that the first digital camera 1 is within the communication range ofsome wireless access point, or if it is detected in step S78 that theset search condition is possible even outside the communication range.

In step S82, it is checked whether or not an operation is done to savethe new search condition. If done, the flow advances to step S84 to savethe new search condition in memory 41, the flow then going to step S85.On the other hand, the flow directly goes to step S85 if it is notdetermined in step 82 that any operation is done to save the new searchcondition.

In step S85, it is checked whether or not the operation of arrow key 54done is the pushing down thereof to direct the search. If the operationis the pushing down of arrow key 54, the flow advances to step S86 tocheck whether or not the first digital camera 1 is within thecommunication range of any of wireless access points. If within thecommunication range, the flow advances to step S88 to check whether ornot the automatic online selection is set. If not, the flow goes to stepS90 to check whether or not the online setting is manually selected. Ifit is detected in step S90 that the online setting is selected, the flowadvances to step S92. On the other hand, the flow directly advanced tostep S92 if it is determined in step S88 that the automatic onlineselection is set.

In step S92, the search result updating process is carried out to getthe latest result of the search conducted by integrated imageadministration server 6 through Internet 4. In more detail, the newsearch condition is sent to integrated image administration server 6,which in response thereto sends back the new search result to the firstdigital camera 1. If the search result has been gotten, the flow goes tothe end.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S86 that the firstdigital camera is within the communication range of any wireless accesspoint, the flow advances to step S94 to have camera controller 31 searchinto own image storage portion 35. If the search has been completed, theflow goes to the end. If it is not detected in step S85 that theoperation of arrow key 54 done is the pushing down thereof to direct thesearch, the flow instantly goes to the end since the operation of arrowkey 54 done is merely caused in the course of setting search condition.

If it is not determined in step S90 that the online setting is manuallyselected although the first digital camera 1 is within the communicationrange, the flow goes to step S94 to have camera controller 31 searchinto own image storage portion 35. If the search has been completed, theflow goes to the end.

If the flow of FIG. 11 goes to the end in any of the causes above, theflow leads to step S32 in FIG. 9, which repeats the loop of step S22 tostep S36 unless any operation is detected in step S24 or step S32 orstep S36. So, if an operation of arrow key 54 is detected in step S28,the flow of FIG. 11 is also repeated.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the detail of the photo taking modeprocess in step S34 of FIG. 9 and step S62 of FIG. 10. If it is detectedin step S32 of FIG. 9 or step S60 of FIG. 10 that photo button 59 ispushed in half, the photo taking mode process in FIG. 12 starts to go tostep S102 in which display 40 displays video image 91 which is currentlytaken by image taking portion 33.

Next in step S104, it is checked whether or not the first digital camera1 is set to display the searched image in the auxiliary window 93. Ifsuch a setting is done, the flow advances to step S106 in which thefirst digital camera 1 displays in auxiliary window 93 the last displayimage 71 appearing as the result of the search in the playback mode suchas in FIG. 5 before switching to the photo taking mode. Then, the flowgoes to step S108.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S104 that the firstdigital camera 1 is set to display the searched image in the auxiliarywindow 93, the flow goes to step S110 in which the first digital camera1 displays the last taken image in auxiliary window 93. Then, the flowalso goes to step S108.

In step S108, it is checked whether or not photo button 59 is pushed infull. If so, the flow goes to step S112 to carry out the image recordingprocess. In more detail, the image data taken by image taking portion 33is processed by image processor 34 to be recorded in image storageportion 35 in step S112. The image recording process in step S112 willbe explained later in more detail. On the other hand, if it is notdetected in step S108 that photo button 59 is pushed in full, the flowreturns to step S102 to repeat afterward the loop of step S102 to stepS108 including step S110 unless photo button 59 in pushed in full.

The flow advances from step S112 to step S114 to check whether or notthe first digital camera 1 is within the communication range of any ofwireless access points. If within the communication range, the flowadvances to step S116 to check whether or not the automatic onlineselection is set. If not, the flow goes to step S117 to check whether ornot the online setting is manually selected. If it is detected in stepS117 that the online setting is selected, the flow advances to stepS118. On the other hand, the flow directly advanced to step S118 if itis determined in step S116 that the automatic online selection is set.

In step S118, it is checked whether or not the first user makes acontract with the first picture archiving and communication system 5 tokeep image taken by the first digital camera 1. If such a contract ismade, the flow advances to step S120. Such a contract has normallyfinished upon buying the first digital camera 1. Thus, as long as thefirst user is a true owner of the first digital camera 1, the flowadvances from step S118 to step S120.

In step S120, it is checked whether or not the first digital camera 1 isso set that attributes such as tags are automatically affix to a takenimage data. If the automatic attribute affixation is set, the flowadvances to step S122 to carry out the automatic affixation process toaffix tags or the like to the taken image data. The automatic affixationprocess in step S122 will be explained later in more detail. The flowthen goes to step S124 to carry out the image upload process in whichthe image data with attribute data affixed thereto is uploaded to thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 through Internet.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step 120 that the automaticattribute affixation is set in the first digital camera 1, the flow goesto step S126 to carry out the edit process in which attributes aremanually affixed or edited. The flow then goes to step S124. The editprocess in step S126 is explained later in more detail.

Following step S124, the flown goes to step S128 to carry out thecapacity indication process, the flow then returning to step S102 toprepare for the next photography. For terminating the photo taking modeprocess, view button 61 is operated to cause an interruption forstarting the flow of FIG. 8. Alternatively, the first digital camera 1is turned OFF if power button 51 is operated.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S114 that the digitalcamera 1 is within the communication range, the flow directly advancesto step S128. Similarly, if it is not detected in step S117 that theonline setting is selected, the flow directly advances to step S128.Further, if it is not detected in step S118 that the first user makes acontract with the first picture archiving and communication system 5 tokeep image taken by the first digital camera 1, the flow directlyadvances to step S128. The capacity indication process will be explainedlater in more detail.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the detail of the display image gettingprocess in step S50 of FIG. 10. If the flow starts, the flow goes tostep S132 to download through Internet the display image prepared andkept by the first picture archiving and communication system 5. If thepurpose of getting display image is to merely display the gotten imagein step S52 of FIG. 10, the sole step S132 is sufficient. However, stepS132 of FIG. 13 is followed by steps led by step S134 to determine howto keep the gotten display image.

The total capacity of image storage portion 35 is possible to be dividedinto a recording capacity for recording newly taken photographs and adisplay capacity for keeping the downloaded display images. Step S134 isfor checking whether or not the display capacity is secured for keepingthe downloaded display images.

If it is determined in step S134 that the display capacity is notsecured, such determination means that total capacity of image storageportion is not divided form the beginning, but entirely assigned to thecapacity for recording newly taken photographs. Or, the determinationmeans that the image data of newly taken photographs overflowing therecoding capacity cut into the display capacity initially secured forkeeping the display images to finally consume all the display capacity.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S134 that displaycapacity is secured, the flow advances to step S136 to check whether ornot the display capacity is occupied by display image date protectedfrom being overwritten by another display data. Such a display imagedata is protected that is highly expected to be played back soon as hasbeen already mentioned. For example, a display image data for a picturenewly taken by the first digital camera is protected unless the firstdigital camera 1 is not in use over a prescribed period of time, e.g.more than three hours, after the date changes.

If it is not detected in step S136 that the display capacity is occupiedby the protected display image date, the flow advances to step S138 tocheck whether or not the downloaded display image data is the same asdisplay image data created by the first digital camera 1 and left inimage storage portion 35. If any, the flow goes to step S140, in whichthe downloaded display image data overwrites the left same display imagedata, then the flow going to the end. In other words, this replacementof the same display image data is effective to prevent other displayimage data from disappearing. On the other hand, if any display imagedata created by the first digital camera 1 is left in image storageportion 35, the flow goes to step S142.

In step S142, it is checked whether or not the downloaded display imagedata is the same as display image data previously downloaded and left inimage storage portion 35. If any, the flow goes to step S144, in whichthe downloaded display image data overwrites the left previouslydownloaded display image data, then the flow going to the end. In otherwords, this type of replacement of the same display image data is alsoeffective to prevent other display image data from disappearing. Ifdisplay image data is left in image storage portion 35, step S48 in FIG.10 functions not to download the same display image data. As has beenpointed out, however, steps S142 and S144 are necessary in case the stepS50 is carried out for downloading the already downloaded display imagedata if the baud rate of data transmission is extremely high. If it isnot detected in step S142 that the downloaded display image data is thesame as display image data previously downloaded and left in imagestorage portion 35, the flow goes to step S146.

In step S146, the downloaded display image data overwrites the oldestdisplay image data gotten and left in image storage portion 35, then theflow going to the end. This manner of overwriting is effective toprevent newer other display image data from disappearing.

If it is determined in step S134 that the display capacity is notsecured, the flow goes to step S148. Or, if it is determined in stepS136 that the display capacity is occupied by the protected displayimage date, the flow also goes to step S148. In step S148, it is checkedwhether or not the recording capacity for recording newly takenphotographs has been fully occupied. If the recording capacity is notoccupied, the flow goes to step S149, in which the downloaded displayimage data is recorded in image storage portion 35 with the use ofremaining recording capacity obtained. Of course, the downloaded displayimage data stored in image storage portion 35 according to the abovemanner is to disappear any time when a newly taken image data overwritessuch a display image data. Thus, in estimating the remaining capacitywhich will be explained later, the display image data stored inaccordance with step S149 is treated as if it does not occupy therecording capacity. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S148that the recording capacity is fully occupied, the flow goes to the endwith the downloaded display image data not recorded in image storageportion 35 at all.

As is apparent from the above, the downloaded display image data is oncerecorded as many as possible by means of making use of the maximumavailable capacity of image storage portion 35. However, it is not thefirst digital camera 1, but the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 to essentially fulfill the role of keeping thedisplay image data. In other words, the playback of image on digitalcamera 1 is to be essentially done by downloading the display image datafrom the first picture archiving and communication system 5 as needed.Thus, the display image data recorded in image storage portion 35 isallowed to be overwritten by a higher priority of image data any time.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image recordingprocess in step S112 of FIG. 12. If the flow starts, the flow goes tostep S152 to check whether or not all the capacity of image storageportion 35 is absolutely occupied. The case that all the capacity isabsolutely occupied means that not only the recording capacity but alsothe display capacity, which is initially secured to keep the downloadeddisplay images, is occupied by the image data of newly takenphotographs. Even if the display capacity is occupied by the displayimage data, it is not determined in step S152 that all the capacity isabsolutely occupied.

If it is not detected in step S152 that all the capacity of imagestorage portion 35 is occupied, the flow advances to step S154. In stepS154, it is checked whether or not the recording capacity initiallysecured to record newly taken photographs is occupied.

If it is detected in step S154 that the recording capacity is occupied,the flow advances to step S155. In step S155, it is checked whether ornot the display capacity initially secured to keep the downloadeddisplay images is occupied. If it is detected in step S155 that thedisplay capacity is occupied, the image data occupying the displaycapacity in this case is the protected display image data.

So, if it is detected in step S155 that the display capacity isoccupied, the flow advances to step S156 to release the kept displayimage data from protection so that the newly taken image data canoverwrite the display image data. This is because that a higher priorityis put on the recording of the newly taken photograph than theconvenience of possible playback of the display image without accessingthe first picture archiving and communication system 5 to download it.Next, a caution about deletion of the display image data is made in stepS157, the flow then going to step S158. On the other hand, if it is notdetected in step S155 that the display capacity is occupied, the flowdirectly goes to step S158.

In step S158, the image data of newly taken photograph is stored in thedisplay capacity, which is initially secured for keeping the displayimage data, the flow then going to step S160. In step S158, the imagedata of newly taken photograph is overwritten on unprotected displayimage data in the order of gotten time from the oldest. In the case ofcoming to step S158 by way of step S157, the image data of newly takenphotograph is overwritten on display image data in the order of timewhen the display image data is released from the protection.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S154 that the recordingcapacity is occupied, the flow advances to step S162 to record the imagedata of newly taken photograph in the recording capacity which isinitially secured for the newly taken photographs. Then, the flow goesto step S160.

In step S160, new display image data is created on the image data ofnewly taken photograph, which is kept in the display capacity of imagestorage portion 35 in step S164, the flow then going to the end of theflow.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step S152 that all the capacityof image storage portion 35 is occupied, the flow goes to step S166 toinhibit the imaged data to be recorded in image storage portion 35. Nextin step S168, an indication on display 40 is made to inform the use ofthe incapability of photograph because all the capacity is full.

Further, in step S170, the first digital camera 1 is forced into acondition as if it is outside the communication range before going tothe end of the flow. Thus, the flow of FIG. 12 is directed from stepS114 to step 128 with the meaningless steps S116 to S124 skipped, whichwould be otherwise carried out with the digital camera 1 within thecommunication range.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the detail of the image upload processin step S124 of FIG. 12. If the flow starts, the flow goes to step S132to check whether or not the contract capacity in the server assigned bythe first picture archiving and communication system 5 is occupied bythe uploaded image data with no room of accepting new image data leftany more.

If occupied, the flow advances to step S184 to check whether or not theautomatic draft is possible in accordance with the contract with thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5. If the automaticdraft is possible, the flow advances to step S186 to increase thecontract capacity in return of payment to the first picture archivingand communication system 5 by the automatic draft. The flow then goes tostep S188. On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S182 thatthe contract capacity is occupied, the flow directly goes to step S188.

In step S188, the main image data with its attribute data is uploaded tothe first picture archiving and communication system 5 with the originalmain image data itself deleted in step S190 form image storage portion35 of the first digital camera 1 if the upload is successful.

Further in step S192, the completion of the upload is indicated ondisplay 40. Next, in step S194, the first digital camera 1 is informedby the first picture archiving and communication system 5 of theremaining contract capacity with the new upload taken intoconsideration, to thereby indicate the remaining server capacity, theflow then going to the end.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S184 that the automaticdraft is possible, any new image data by no means can be uploaded thefirst picture archiving and communication system 5 with the contractedcapacity is occupied. So, the flow goes to step S196 to give up theupload, followed by information on display 40 of the upload incapabilityin Step 198 and of the occupied contract capacity. The flow then goes tothe end.

Here, a related function of the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 is referred to although it is not carried out bythe flow in FIG. 15. Namely, on the bases of newly main image datauploaded from the first digital camera 1, the first picture archivingand communication system 5 creates a display image data of the sizesuitable for displaying on display 40 of the first digital camera 1 inautomatic response to the upload of the main image data to keep thecreated display image data as well as the main image data for respondingto a coming request from the first digital camera 1 to download thedisplay image data.

It is needless to say that the function in FIG. 15 is solely foruploading image data taken by the first digital camera 1 itself. Inother words, the first digital camera 1 has no function of uploading anyimaged data gotten by downloading from the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 for avoiding confusion in duplicate uploading.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the detail of the capacity indicationprocess in step S9 of FIG. 8 and step S128 of FIG. 12. If the flowstarts, the flow goes to step S211 to automatically release the keptdisplay image data from protection if its limitation period has expired.As previously mentioned, the display image data is automaticallyprotected under some reasonable condition and time limit to make itpossible for the first user to easily play back the image again on thefirst digital camera 1 without accessing the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5. For example, the display image data for thephotographs taken on the day are protected unless the first digitalcamera 1 is not in use over a prescribed period of time, e.g. more thanthree hours, after the date changes. Similarly, the display image datadownloaded within the past prescribed period of time is protected assuch an image data has provably high possibility of being played backagain. The count of lapse of the prescribed period of time is to bereset every time when the display image data is played back. Step 211 isfor automatically releasing the display image data from protection ifthe prescribed period of time has expired without the counting thereofreset.

Next in step S212 it is checked whether or not all the capacity of imagestorage portion 35 is absolutely occupied. Such a situation that all thecapacity is absolutely occupied in step S212 can be caused by the flowgoing from step S114 directly to step S128 since the first digitalcamera 1 is not within the communication range.

If it is not detected in step S212 that all the capacity of imagestorage portion 35 is occupied, the flow goes to step S214 to checkwhether or not the recording capacity initially secured to record newlytaken photographs is occupied. Such a situation that the recordingcapacity initially secured to record newly taken photographs is occupiedcan also be caused by the flow going from step S114 directly to stepS128 since the first digital camera 1 is not within the communicationrange.

If it is not detected in step S214 that the recording capacity isoccupied, the flow advances to step S216 to make the first level ofremaining capacity indication, the flow then going to the end. Thisindication means the remaining capacity of the recording capacityinitially secured to record newly taken photographs. If the firstdigital camera 1 is within the communication range and the contractcapacity of the server is not occupied, the image data of the newlytaken photograph is instantly uploaded. Thus, the recording capacity ofthe recording capacity initially secured to record newly takenphotographs is kept empty.

If it is detected in step S214 that the recording capacity is occupied,the flow advances to step S218 to check whether or not the displaycapacity initially secured to keep the downloaded display images isoccupied. If it is detected in step S218 that the display capacity isoccupied, the image data occupying the display capacity in this case isthe protected display image data.

If it is determined in step S218 that the display capacity is notoccupied because the image data kept in the display capacity is not theprotected display image data, the flow goes to step S219 to checkwhether or not the first digital camera 1 is within the communicationrange of any of wireless access points. If it is detected in step S219that the first digital camera is outside the communication range, theflow goes to step S220 to recommend the first user to manually send thetaken image data in a preparatory manner by way of the mobile phonesince the recording capacity is occupied as detected in step S214.However, the first user can take the photograph with the recommendationneglected since the display capacity is remaining.

Step S220 is followed by step S221 in which the second level ofremaining capacity indication is made, the flow then going to the end.The second level of remaining capacity indication in step S221 is madein place of the first level of remaining capacity indication in stepS216. The second level of remaining capacity means the display capacitywhich is initially secured to keep the downloaded display images and isto be usable for recording newly taken photographs in place of thedisplay capacity. On the other hand, if it is detected in step S219 thatthe first digital camera is within the communication range, the flowdirectly goes to step S221 with the preparatory recommendation in step220 skipped.

If it is detected in step S218 that the display capacity is occupied,the flow goes to step S222 to make a preliminary caution such as“Capacity full, but shots possible with protected display image datadeleted” is given. Next in step S224, the third level of remainingcapacity indication is made, the flow then going to the end. The thirdlevel of remaining capacity indication means that the photograph itselfcan be taken by cutting into the display capacity with the protecteddisplay image data overwritten. The third level of remaining capacityindication in step S224 is made in place of the first level of remainingcapacity indication in step S216.

The remaining capacity indications in steps S216, S221 and S224 eachdefer from the others in their meanings, respectively. So, eachindication is made with unique color or font or size or locationdifferent form the others to distinguish it from the others.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step S212 that all the capacityof image storage portion 35 is absolutely occupied, the flow goes tostep S226 to make an emergency caution. Next, in step S228, it ischecked whether or not the first digital camera 1 is within thecommunication range. If not, the flow advances to step S230 to checkwhether or not the digital camera 1 is set into a condition of automaticcooperation with the mobile phone. If in such a condition, the flow goesto step S232 to have the mobile phone automatically call the serverthrough Internet 4 to send the taken image data from the first digitalcamera 1 to the first picture archiving and communication system 5, theflow then going to the end.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S230 that the digitalcamera 1 is set into a condition of automatic cooperation with themobile phone, the flow goes to step S234 to recommend the first user ondisplay 40 to instantly send the taken image data by means of manualoperation of the mobile phone, the flow then going to the end.

The function of the first digital camera 1 in sending image data by wayof the mobile phone which is automatically done in step S232 or manuallydone by the first user at the sight of the recommendation made in stepS220 or step S234 is similar to the image upload process carried out inFIG. 15 except that the mobile phone replaces wireless access point 3.Namely, the first digital camera 1 carries out the flow in FIG. 15caused by one of steps S232, S220 and S234 with wireless access point 3is replaced by the mobile phone.

If it is determined in step S228 that the first digital camera 1 iswithin the communication range of any of wireless access points, theflow instantly goes to the end since this situation is caused by such afact that the contract capacity in the server is occupied which makes itimpossible to send the taken image data even if the first digital camera1 is within the communication range.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the detail of the automatic attributeaffixation process in step S122 of FIG. 12. If the flow starts, the flowgoes to step S242 to automatically input the attribute of scope sectionat “private”. Next, in step S244 a mark is input for indicating that theattribute affixation above is made automatically. Such a mark may be putas the form of a general tag or as a special form of data. Or the markis input with the use of the area for the title, which is initially madeblank upon the automatic attribute affixation.

The above mentioned mark indicating the automatic attribute affixationis to distinguish the attribute affixed without any proof by the firstuser from the attribute which the first user affixed by its own will.Thus, the attribute without proof can be easily picked up due to themark upon editing the attribute. Step S244 is followed by step S246 toautomatically input date and time.

Upon completion of the input above, the flow advances to step S248 tocheck whether or not any common tag is manually set in advance so as tobe automatically input to all of a predetermined series of photographs.Such a common tag may be set for inputting to all the photographs takenby the first digital camera 1 without fail. Or, a different common tagmay be set each time when an event such as a travel is planed. If anycommon tag is detected in step S248, the flow advances to step S250 toautomatically input the common tag, the flow then going to step S252. Onthe other hand, if any common tag is not detected in step S248, the flowdirectly goes to step S252.

In step S252, it is checked whether or not any tag information isreceived through wireless communication form an object in a notable sitewhere the first use is visiting. If any received tag information isdetected in step S252, the flow advances to step S254 to automaticallyinput the received tag, the flow then going to step S256. On the otherhand, if any received tag information is not detected in step S252, theflow directly goes to step S256.

In step S256, it is checked whether or not any barcode tag informationis read from a taken image data of an object in a notable site where thefirst use is visiting. If any barcode tag information is detected instep S256, the flow advances to step S258 to automatically input the taginformation read from the barcode, the flow then going to step S260. Onthe other hand, if any barcode tag information is not detected in stepS256, the flow directly goes to step S260.

In step S260, information is gotten from GPS and direction sensor 44.Further, in step S262, image analysis is carried out to extrapolate anobject taken. And, in step S264, tag estimation process is carried outfor trying to estimate a tag on the basis of the information gotten insteps S260 and S262 by consulting with a lookup table storing variousrelationships of tags with the combinations of the GPS and directioninformation and the extrapolated object information.

Next, in step S266, it is checked whether or not any suitable tag isestimated. If the estimation is successful, the flow advances to stepS268 to automatically input the estimated tag information, the flow thengoing to step S270. On the other hand, if it is not detected that anysuitable tag is estimated, the flow directly goes to step S270. The casethat any suitable tag is not estimated is caused not only by the failurein the tag estimation process in step S264, but by the failure ingetting necessary information in step S260 or step S262.

In step S270, the advertising information process is carried out. In theadvertising process, tags gotten in step S254 or S258 are processed ifsuch tags are viewed as advertising information form a hotel, shop orthe like located in the notable site. In more detail, the advertisingprocess carried out as the function of the first digital camera 1investigates into all the automatically gotten tags to pick up seeminglyadvertising tags for encrypting it into data which cannot be spread as ameaningful tag against the will of the first user even if uploaded withthe image data, but recognizable in the advertisement utilizing processexplained later. Thus, the advertising tags are so encrypted that theycan be decrypted by the function of the first digital camera 1.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the detail of the attribute editionprocess in step S58 of FIG. 10 and step S126 of FIG. 12. The flow inFIG. 18 also includes the function caused by attribute edit button 62pushed in the condition shown in FIG. 4.

If attribute edit button 62 is pushed, the flow starts to go to stepS282 to check whether or not attribute edit button 62 is pushed withthumbnails displayed as in the manner of FIG. 4. If it is determined instep S282 that attribute edit button 62 is pushed with thumbnailsdisplayed, the flow goes to step 284 to pick up thumbnails with the markinput in step S244 in FIG. 17 which indicates that the attributeaffixation is made automatically without any proof by the first user.Next, in step S286, the picked up thumbnails are displayed, the flowthen going to the end with leaving the display of the picked upthumbnails. Thus, if one of such thumbnails is selected, the displaywindow of FIG. 5 is caused through the functions of the flow in FIG. 10.

If it is not detected in step S282 that attribute edit button 62 ispushed with thumbnails displayed, attribute edit button 62 is consideredto be pushed under the display condition in FIG. 5. Thus, the flow inthis case goes to step S288 to cause the display window for attributeedition as in FIG. 6. The current attribute is also displayed in stepS290. In the case of image data with the automatic attribute affixationmark, automatically input attribute put in accordance with the functionof FIG. 17 is displayed. Thus, the display in FIG. 6 with affixed tagwindow 82 is caused.

Next, in step 292, the existing tag same as or relational to the affixedtag is searched through the communication with integrated imageadministration server 6. The relational tag means a tag which is not thesame as the affixed tag, but is synonymous to the affixed tag or thelike. Next, in step S294, it is checked whether or not any same orrelational tag is found.

If it is detected in step S294 that the same or relational tag is found,the flow goes to step S296 to indicate the found same or relational tagin both affixed tag window 82 and existing tag window 83 in FIG. 6, theflow then going to step S298. On the other hand, if it is not detectedin step S294 that the same or relational tag is found, the flow directlygoes to step S298. In this case, nothing is indicated in existing tagwindow 83.

In more detail, the function in step S296 adds underline to a tag inaffixed tag window 82 in FIG. 6 if the tag is the same as an existingtag, which is to be indicated in existing tag window 83 withcorresponding underline. With respect to a relational tag found amongexisting tags, the found relational tag is indicated in existing tagwindow 83 without under line so as to be distinguishable form the tagidentical with the tag in affixed tag window 82.

In step 298, it is checked whether or not attribute edit operation isdone. If it is detected in step S298 that the attribute edit operationis done, the flow goes to step S300 to carry out the edition executingprocess, the flow then going to step S302. On the other hand, if it isnot detected in step S298 that the attribute edit operation is done, theflow directly goes to step S302. The details of the attribute editprocess will be explained later.

In step S302, it is checked whether or not any encrypted tag is leftunprocessed in affixed tag window 82. If any, the flow advances to stepS304 to carry out the advertisement utilizing process, the flow thengoing to step S306. On the other hand, if it is not detected in stepS302 that any encrypted tag exists, the flow directly goes to step S306.The details of the advertisement utilizing process will be explainedlater.

In step S306, it is checked whether or not edition terminating operationis done, the flow going to the end if such an operation is to be done.On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S306 that editionterminating operation is done, the flow returns to step S290 to repeatthe loop of step S290 to step 306 unless it is detected in step S306that edition terminating operation is done.

If the flow of FIG. 18 goes to the end, the flow returns to thecondition of display in FIG. 5 in the case that the flow of FIG. 18 iscarried out as step 58 of FIG. 10. On the other hand, if the flow ofFIG. 18 goes to the end as the function of step S126 of FIG. 12, theflow advances to step S124 for carrying out the image upload process.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the detail of the advertisementutilizing process in step S304 of FIG. 18. If the flow starts, the flowgoes to step S312 to check whether or not an operation is done within apredetermined period of time to select one of the encrypted tags leftunprocessed. In other words, it is checked whether or not one isselected among encrypted tag or tags left unprocessed in affixed tagwindow 82 in FIG. 6 by manual operation of arrow key 54 or numerickeypad 55.

If it is detected in step S312 that the one encrypted tag is selectedwithin the time period, the flow advances to step S314 to temporarilydecrypt the tag. The decrypted tag is displayed in step S316 with theuse of existing tag window 83 in display 40 for the first user toconfirm the contents of the advertising, which includes the name of thehotel or shop, advantages or the like. Next, in step S318, a query isdisplayed on display 40 to ask whether or not to agree the advertisementto be affixed to the image data as a normal tag, and it is checkedwhether or not an agreement operation is done in response to the querywithin a predetermined period of time. If the agreement operation isconfirmed in step S318, the flow goes to step S320 to permanently cancelthe encryption of the tag so that the tag may be affixed to the image ina form of a normal tag indicating the name of the hotel or the like,which can be hit during the tag search by anyone. Thus, if the name ofthe hotel is hit as a tag for example, the photograph of the hotel takenby the first user serves as the advertisement of the hotel.

Step 320 is followed by step S322, in which the fist user getselectronic coupon form the advertiser such as the hotel or the shop inexchange for the cancellation of the encryption in step S320. Theelectronic coupon can be instantly used at the hotel or the shop sincethe first user taking the photograph is naturally close to the hotel orthe shop.

Next, in step S324 a query is displayed on display 40 to ask whether ornot to input Weblog on the photograph of the hotel or the shop makingthe advertisement, and it is checked whether or not an operation relatedto Weblog is done in response to the query within a predetermined periodof time. If the operation is confirmed in step S324, the flow goes tostep S326 to carry out the related Weblog process. The related Weblogprocess is to provide a link between the uploaded image data and Weblogrelated to the advertiser so that the first user or anyone viewing thephotograph can input Weblog on the photograph of the hotel or the shop.After completion of the related Weblog process, the flow goes to stepS328, in which the fist user gets electronic coupon form the advertiserin exchange for the related Weblog process in step S326. It should benoted that the electronic coupon though the related Weblog process isnon-transferable and becomes valid after the Weblog is actually input.Further, the advertiser can void the coupon if the input Weblog turnsout to be a slur or a mere adulation. Further, since the Weblog isaccompanied by the identification of the writer, Weblog out of malice orcoupon hunting repeated by the same writer would be ignored.

If it is not detected in step S324 that any operation related to Weblogis done within the predetermined period of time, the flow instantly goesto the end. If it is not detected in step S318 that any agreementoperation is done within the predetermined period of time, the flow goesto step S330 to delete the tag selected in step S312, the flow thengoing to the end. If it is not detected in step S312 that any operationis done within a predetermined period of time to select one of theencrypted tags, the flow instantly goes to the end. goes to step S330 todelete the tag selected in step S312, the flow then going to the end.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the detail of the edition executingprocess in step S300 of FIG. 18. If the flow starts, step S332 comesfirst to check whether or not the image under attribute edition is ofthe own photograph. If not, the flow goes to a series of steps led bystep S333 for avoiding possible confusion otherwise caused in error byan operation to change attribute which only the creator can change

At first, in step S333, any operation to change data in photo takingdate and time box 73 in FIG. 6 is made invalid. It is needless to say inits nature that photo taking date and time should not be changed.However, the change as to own photograph is made possible by means of aspecial operation for a limited purpose of putting own photographs inorder. On the contrary, any change in photo taking date and time isabsolutely inhibited by step S333 as to photographs taken by others.

Next, in step S334, any operation to change data in title box 72 in FIG.6 is made invalid. Further, in step S335, any operation to change ordelete data in affixed tag box 82 in FIG. 6 is made invalid. As toaffixed tag box 82, however, an operation to add tag for own use ispossible since the addition of search keys does not cause any negativeinfluence on the photographs taken by others. Then, the flow advances tostep S336, in which any operation to change scope section 53 except“favorite” box is made invalid. Finally, in step S337, any change inattribute caused by operation which is not made invalid is executed torealize the edition of attribute, the flow then going to the end.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step S332 that the image underattribute edition is of the own photograph, the flow directly goes tostep S337 without any invalidation steps to realize changes in attributecaused by all the operations, the flow then going to the end.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the search function carried out byintegrated image administration server 6 in cooperation with the searchresult updating process of the first digital camera 1 carried out instep S10 of FIG. 8 or step S92 of FIG. 11. If the flow of the firstdigital camera 1 comes into step S10 of FIG. 8 or step S92 of FIG. 11,the flow of FIG. 21 of integrated image administration server 6 startsto go to step S342. In step S342, the search condition given by thefirst digital camera is received to carry out the search in step S344.In conducting the search in step S344, the scope is not limited withinthe first picture archiving and communication system 5, but is extendedinto the second picture archiving and communication system 10 or otherall possible picture archiving and communication systems even if thefirst digital camera 1 contracts with the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5 only.

If the search is completed, the flow advances to step S346 to pick upduplication of the same image data within the search result. Suchduplication is caused if the first user has uploaded the same image datato a plurality of the picture archiving and communication systems. StepS348 checks whether or not any duplicated image data is picked up instep S346 to go to step S350 if the duplication is picked up. In stepS350, it is checked whether or not the order from the first digitalcamera 1 is to allow the duplication. If the duplication is not allowed,the flow goes to step S352 to adopt one image data with the newestuploading date with the other image data excluded from the searchresult. The adoption carried out in step 352 can be based on analternative rule other than the newest uploading date, such as thelargest image size.

Next, in step 353, the attribute data and the related data as to theadopted image data is integrated. In other words, attribute data andother related data such as Weblog originally affixed to the excludedduplication image data are linked with the adopted image data. Thus, allof the attribute data and the related data as to the same image data areintegrally linked to the adopted image data without fail even if theduplicate image data itself is excluded from the search result.

Next in step S354, the search result including the adopted image datafrom the duplication and other image data free from duplication issueare sent to the first digital camera 1. Further, in step S356, theexcluded image data because of the duplication is also sent to the firstdigital camera 1 for reverence with the link to the image data sent instep S354 provided. Thus, the flow of the function in integrated imageadministration server 6 goes to the end.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step S350 that the order fromthe first digital camera 1 is to allow the duplication, the flow goes tostep S358 to arrange the duplicate image data side by side. In thiscase, the uploading date and time is unified into the newest throughoutall the duplicate image data for the purpose of keeping the side by sideorder even if the search result is sorted in the order of the uploadingdate and time, which otherwise would make the duplicate image data aparton the basis of the real uploading data and time. Then the flow goes tostep S360 to send the duplicate image data as well as other image datato the first digital camera 1, the flow thus going to the end.

If it is not detected in step S348 that any duplicated image data ispicked up in step S346, the flow instantly goes to step S360 to send thesearch result to the first digital camera 1, the flow then going to theend.

By receiving the search result sent through the functions above, thefirst digital camera 1 can display the thumbnails 58 arranged inaccordance with the layout in FIG. 4 as the search result.

Here, the explanation is advanced to the function of the first personalcomputer 7. The first personal computer 7 has basically the similarfunctions as those in the first digital camera 1 such as imagerecording, image searching, image displaying and image uploadingfunctions. Further, the first personal computer 7 has function ofdownloading, from the first picture archiving and communication system5, the main image data of full-size or another image data, which is of agreater size than that of the display image data for the first digitalcamera 1, for the purpose of displaying on the first monitor 8 orprinting by the first home printer 16.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of the function of the controller in the firstpersonal computer 7 having the above functions. The flow of FIG. 22starts when the first personal computer 7 has carried out the imagesearch process similar to that in FIG. 11 and the thumbnail data as thesearch result is received from integrated image administration server 6functioning in accordance with FIG. 21.

If the flow starts, step S372 displays the results of the search so thatthe hit images may be viewed at a glance for selection on the firstmonitor 8 in the similar manner to that in FIG. 4. Initially, suchselection display of a plurality of images is on the thumbnail datawhich is only available at this stage. Since the area of the firstmonitor 8 is much greater than that of display 40 of the first digitalcamera 1, the area for each thumbnail is enlarged in proportion to thedifference in area size of the monitor. However, the image is simplyenlarged on the thumbnail data of the same number of pixels at thisstage, resolution of the image is low. Thumbnails which cannot beinitially displayed on the first monitor can be viewed by scrolling thedisplay.

Next, in step S374, one of the thumbnails is automatically designated inaccordance with a predetermined order, which causes the Internetconnection to URL of the corresponding display image data prepared fordisplaying on display 40 and kept in the first picture archiving andcommunication system 5, the display image data being gotten throughautomatic download. The downloaded display image data replaces thecorresponding thumbnail data on the first monitor 8 in step S378. Incontrast to that the area size assigned to one display image in the areaof first monitor 8 is equal to that to one enlarged thumbnail, thenumber of pixels of the display image data is much greater than that ofthe thumbnail image data. Thus, the replacement of image data in stepS378 causes improvement of the resolution of display.

Then the flow advances to step S380 to check whether or not all thethumbnail image data on the first monitor 8 are replaced bycorresponding display image data. If not, the flow returns to step S374to automatically designate the next thumbnail in the predeterminedorder. Thus, the steps S374 to S380 is repeated until step S380 detectsthat all the thumbnail image data are replaced by corresponding displayimage data.

If it is determined in step 380 that all of the thumbnail image data arereplaced by corresponding display image data, the flow advances to stepS382 to check whether or not a scroll operation to view other thumbnailsis done within a predetermined time period. If done, the flow returns tostep S372 to display thumbnails which have not appeared on the firstmonitor 8 before the scroll operation. If the display in step S372caused by the scroll operation consists of a mixture of newly appearingimages and already existing images, the already existing images aredisplayed on the basis of display image data having replaced thecorresponding thumbnail image data. Thus, every time when scrolloperation for new thumbnails is detected in step S382, the flow returnsto step S372 for carrying out steps S374 to S380 for replacing data ofnewly appearing thumbnails by corresponding display image data.

Though not shown in FIG. 22, a step may be inserted between step S372and S374 to check whether or not all of the thumbnail image data arereplaced by corresponding display image data. And, if it is determinedin the additional step that all of the thumbnail image data are replacedby corresponding display image data respectively, the flow directly goesto step S382.

If it is not detected in step S382 that a scroll operation is donewithin a predetermined time period, the flow goes to step 384 to checkwhether or not an image selecting operation is done to display theselected one image in the full area of the first monitor 8. If not, theflow returns to step 382 to thereafter repeat steps S382 and S384 unlessone of the scroll operation or image selecting operation is done.

If it is detected in step S384 that an image selecting operation is donewithin a predetermined time period, the flow goes to step 386 todownload the data of the selected image, which is of a size includingsufficient number of pixels suitable for display in the full area of thefirst monitor 8.

Next is step S388, it is checked whether or not a print selectingoperation is done within a predetermined time period. If a printselecting operation is done, the flow goes to step S390 to download themain image data of the full-size, which is of the greatest number ofpixels among a plurality of sizes of images for the same photograph.Then the flow goes to step S392 to input “download mark” as itsattribute. This is to distinguish the downloaded full-size image datafrom the full-size image data taken by the first digital camera 1 andnot uploaded yet. In other words, the full-size image data with“download mark” cannot be uploaded. Thus, a full-size image data takenby another and downloaded is automatically prevented from being uploadedin error due to the “download mark”. The downloaded full-size image datais sent to the first home printer 16 to make print under control of thefirst personal computer 7.

Step S392 is followed by step S394, while the flow directly goes fromstep S388 to step S394 if it is not detected in step S288 that a printselecting operation is done within a predetermined time period. In stepS394, it is checked whether or not the selection display operation isdone within a predetermined time period.

If it is detected in step S294 that the selection display operation isdone within the predetermined time period, the flow returns to step S372to display again the plurality of images at a glance for selection.Thus, the flow repeats form step S372 to step S394 as long as it isdetected in step S294 that the selection display operation is donewithin the predetermined time period.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S294 that the selectiondisplay operation is done within the predetermined time period, the flowgoes to step S396 to check whether or not the image feed operation isdone within the predetermined time period. If the image feed operationis detected, the next or the last image in the order of display in stepS372 is selected in response to the direction of image feeding given bythe operation, the flow then returns to step S386, in which the data ofthe newly selected image, which is of a size including sufficient numberof pixels suitable for display in the full area of the first monitor 8,is downloaded.

On the other hand, if it is not detected in step S396 that the imagefeed operation is done within the predetermined time period, the flowreturns to step S388. Thus, the steps S388 to S396 are repeated with thedisplay of the image downloaded in step S386 maintained unless theoperation is detected in step S394 or step S396.

In response to an interruption caused by some other operation of thefirst personal computer 7, the flow can go out of the flow of FIG. 22 inany time to jump into the function directed by the operation.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of the function of camera controller 31 of thefirst digital camera 1 relating to advertisement. The flow of FIG. 23relates to the function for treating advertisement to be affixed to theimage as the tag in the advertisement utilizing process in FIG. 19 orWeblog input in relation to the image. The information to be treated bythe flow of FIG. 23 is mainly the advertising information relating totag affixed by others or of the Weblog input by others in relation tothe image.

The flow of FIG. 23 automatically starts when the first digital camera 1comes into the communication range of the advertiser such as a shop withthe first digital camera 1 is set into a condition of accepting theadvertisement. Or, the flow also automatically starts when the bar codeadvertisement is read by image taking portion 33 of the first digitalcamera 1. If the first digital camera in the photo taking mode is setinto a condition of accepting the advertisement, advertisement image isdisplayed on auxiliary window 93 of display 40 of FIG. 7 as well asvideo image 91. Also, in the playback mode of FIG. 5, advertisementimage is displayed at the position corresponding to auxiliary window 93of display 40 in FIG. 7 as well as display image 71.

If the flow automatically starts in the above manner, step S402 gets theadvertisement information by way of one or both of local wirelesscommunicator 39 or image taking portion 33 reading barcodes. The gottenadvertising information includes a shop name tag to be affixed to theimage data. Next in step $404, it is checked whether or not the gotteninformation includes barcode information.

If it is not detected in step S404 that gotten information includesbarcode information, the information is considered to be gotten onlythrough local wireless communicator 39, which can receive anadvertisement of the neighboring shop not necessarily in the vision ofthe first user in contrast that a barcode would be gotten form the imageof the shop which the first user is actually watching. So, the flow goesto step S406 to get information through GPS and direction sensor 44.Next, in step S408, the positions of and relative relationship betweenthe advertise shop and the first user are determined on the basis of theinformation gotten in steps S402 and S406 to display the map and routefor the first user to get to the shop.

The next step S410 checks whether of not the first digital camera 1 iswithin the communication range of a wireless access point. It isnormally expected that the advertising shop sending the advertisinginformation through its own wireless communication system is also ageneral wireless access point capable of wireless communication throughInternet. However, the check in step S410 is necessary since theadvertiser is not necessarily serving as such a general wireless accesspoint but a local wireless communication system capable of sending theadvertising information only.

If it is detected in step S410 that the first digital camera 1 is withinthe communication range of a wireless access point, the flow advances tostep S412 to search though Internet an image to which a tag identicalwith the tag sent form the advertising shop is affixed. And, if any, thefirst digital camera 1 displays the image on display 40. Thus, not onlythe advertising information directly sent from the advertising shop, butalso relating image searched through Internet is gotten, which makes iteasier for the first user to find the shop. The flow then advances tostep S414.

On the contrary, if it is not detected in step S410 that the firstdigital camera 1 is within the communication range of a wireless accesspoint, the flow directly goes to step S414. By the way, if it isdetected in step S404 that the gotten information includes barcodeinformation, the flow goes to step S416 since it means that the firstuser is in front of to the advertising shop and trains the first digitalcamera 1 on it. In step S404, accordingly, the first digital cameramakes a notice on display 40 or an announce to inform the first userthat the advertising shop is visible in front of the first user, theflow then going to step S414. In this case, the steps for map and routeor image display relating to the shop are skipped since they are notnecessary.

In step S414, the advertising information gotten in step S402 isdisplayed on display 40. The advertising information is created by theadvertiser such as a shop itself on its own position. The flow then goesto step 418 to check whether or not the first digital camera 1 is withinthe communication range of any of wireless access points.

If within the communication range, the flow advances to step S420 tojump to URL for Weblog input on the image to which the tag relating tothe shop such as its name is affixed. The gotten Weblog is displayed ondisplay 40 in step 422, the flow then going to the end. The displayedWeblog may include introductions or recommendations or impression of theshop input by customers visiting the chop, which seem toward the shop.The Weblog is updated by the general public on a daily basis, which mayinclude sincere criticisms against the shop. But, it is the shop itselfto have all the responsibility of the contents of Weblog. In otherwords, the attractiveness of the shop itself finally controls thecontents of Weblog, which is more powerful advertisement than thatprepared by the shop by itself.

Steps S418 to S422 are not only function succeeding step S414 but alsocan function more generally. In other words, in FIG. 23, Steps S418 toS422 are triggered by a receipt of the shop name tag gotten by way ofone or both of local wireless communicator 39 or image taking portion 33when the first user actually visits the neighborhood of the shop.However, steps S418 to S422 can be generally triggered when the shopname tag is gotten in any way including a case that the tag is hitthrough a search through Internet on the basis of some keyword relatingto area or category of business. Thus, the first user can read theWeblog on the shop even if he or she does not actually visit theneighborhood of the shop. In other words, such Weblog can serve as agood traveler's book on an occasion of planning a travel at home.

The above described embodiments relate to the system including digitalcameras such as the first digital camera 1 and second digital camera 2each having local wireless communicator 39. However, the presentinvention is not limited to such a system, but is applicable to a systemincluding mobile phones each with digital camera such as the firstdigital camera 1 built-in. One embodiment in this case is to simplyintegrate mobile phone with the first digital camera 1, the function ofwhich can be easily understood in accordance with the explanation abovefor the first and second embodiments.

In such an integrated embodiment is advantageous in functionalcooperation between the first digital camera 1 and the mobile phone,especially the functions of steps lead by S226 in FIG. 16. In otherwords, there is no necessity of connecting the first digital camera 1 tothe mobile phone with cable or local wireless communication system incase a necessity of connecting Internet by way of the mobile phonecaused due to the first digital camera 1 going out of communicationrange of the wireless access point. This is because that the firstdigital camera 1 and the mobile phone are in communication with eachother every time as an integral device.

Another embodiment is to integrate mobile phone with the first digitalcamera 1 with such a modification made that the access to Internet byway of wireless access point is replaced by that by way of phone lineregardless of whether or not the integrated device is within thecommunication range of a wireless access point. In other words, thelocal wireless communicator 39 does not communicate with Internet, butreceives only local information such as notable site tag or advertisingtag. In such a modified embodiment, the functions of the local wirelesscommunicator 39 through Internet in the description of the first andsecond embodiments are understood as the functions of the phone linecommunicator of the mobile phone.

As is apparent from the above, “digital camera” generally means not onlya digital camera separated form mobile phone, but also mobile phoneintegrated with the digital camera unless the description is speciallydirected to only one of them with clear identification

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital camera with communication functioncomprising: an image taking portion adapted to capture an image; awireless communicator adapted to send digital image data derived fromthe image taking portion to outside of the digital camera and to receivedigital image data from outside of the digital camera; a display adaptedto display digital image data; an image storage portion adapted to storedigital image data derived form the image taking portion and digitalimage data received through the wireless communicator, the digital imagedata stored in the image storage including full size image datadepending on the image taking portion and display image data in a sizesuitable for displaying on the display; and a storage controller adaptedto treat the full size image data and the display image data unequallyin the image storage portion if the full size image data has beenalready sent to outside of the digital camera.
 2. The digital cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the storage controller is adapted to allowthe full size image data to be replaced by new digital image data in theimage storage portion more easily than the display image data.
 3. Thedigital camera according to claim 2, wherein the storage controller isadapted to allow the display image data to be replaced by new digitalimage data under a condition.
 4. The digital camera according to claim2, wherein the new digital image data includes one of digital image dataderived form the image taking portion and digital image data receivedthrough the wireless communicator.
 5. The digital camera according toclaim 1, wherein the storage controller is adapted to treat the digitalimage data received through the wireless communicator the same as thedigital image data derived form the image taking portion.
 6. The digitalcamera according to claim 1 further comprising a display controlleradapted to treat the digital image data received through the wirelesscommunicator the same as the digital image data retrieved from the imagestorage portion, whereby the display with the wireless communicatoreffective is equal to the display with the wireless communicatorineffective.
 7. The digital camera according to claim 1 furthercomprising a capacity indicator adapted to indicate information relatingto the room for the image storage portion to store new digital imagedata, wherein the capacity indicator is adapted to make an indication ifan extra room for the new digital image data can be secured by replacingthe stored display image data.
 8. The digital camera according to claim1, further comprising a search key affixing controller adapted to affixa search key to the image data as an attribute thereof and a search keyindication controller adapted to indicate the affixed search keys andrelated search keys on the display in a comparable manner, the relatedsearch keys being received through the wireless communicator amongsearch keys existing outside the digital camera and including a searchkey related to the affixed search key and a search key identical withthe affixed search key if any.
 9. A digital camera with communicationfunction comprising: an image taking portion adapted to capture animage; a wireless communicator adapted to send digital image dataderived from the image taking portion to outside of the digital cameraand to receive digital image data from outside of the digital camera; adisplay adapted to display digital image data; an image storage portionadapted to store digital image data derived form the image takingportion and digital image data received through the wirelesscommunicator; a storage controller adapted to control the digital imagedata in the image storage portion in relation to the sending andreceiving of the digital image data through the wireless communicator; asearch key affixing controller adapted to affix a search key to theimage data as an attribute thereof; and a search key indicationcontroller adapted to indicate the affixed search keys and relatedsearch keys on the display in a comparable manner, the related searchkeys being received through the wireless communicator among search keysexisting outside the digital camera and including a search key relatedto the affixed search key and a search key identical with the affixedsearch key if any.
 10. The digital camera according to claim 9, whereinthe search key indication controller is adapted to indicate on thedisplay a search key which is in common between the affixed search keysand related search keys.
 11. The digital camera according to claim 9,wherein the search key affixing controller is adapted to copy one of therelated search keys as a new affixing search key.
 12. The digital cameraaccording to claim 9 further comprising a manual operating portion,wherein the search key affixing controller is responsive to the manualoperating portion in affixing the search key.
 13. The digital cameraaccording to claim 9, wherein the search key affixing controller isadapted to automatically affix the search key received through thewireless communicator.
 14. The digital camera according to claim 9further comprising a search controller adapted to send the search key toan outside server on Internet through the wireless communicator to haveit carry out the search on the sent search key, wherein the searchcontroller is further adapted to receive a search key from theneighborhood of the digital camera through the wireless communicator andsend it to the outside server on Internet through the wirelesscommunicator
 15. A digital camera with communication functioncomprising: an image taking portion adapted to capture an image; awireless communicator adapted to send digital image data derived fromthe image taking portion to outside of the digital camera and to receivedigital image data from outside of the digital camera; a display adaptedto display digital image data; an image storage portion adapted to storedigital image data derived form the image taking portion and digitalimage data received through the wireless communicator; a storagecontroller adapted to control the digital image data in the imagestorage portion in relation to the sending and receiving of the digitalimage data through the wireless communicator; and a search controlleradapted to receive search key from the neighborhood of the digitalcamera through the wireless communicator and to send it to an outsideserver on Internet through the wireless communicator to have it carryout the search on the sent search key.
 16. The digital camera accordingto claim 15 further comprising a search result controller adapted toreceive search result form the outside server through the wirelesscommunicator for displaying the received search result on the display.17. The digital camera according to claim 16, wherein the search resultincludes digital image data relating to the search key.
 18. The digitalcamera according to claim 16, wherein the search result includes Weblogrelating to the search key.
 19. The digital camera according to claim15, wherein the neighborhood includes an advertiser, and wherein thesearch result includes the advertisement of the advertiser.
 20. Thedigital camera according to claim 15, wherein the neighborhood includesa notable site, and wherein the search result includes digital imagedata of photographs of the notable site taken by others, which may be ofsome help of taking a new photograph of the same notable site.